Modern maize varieties going local in the semi-arid zone in Tanzania.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Maize is the most produced crop in Sub-Saharan Africa, but yields are low and climate change is projected to further constrain smallholder production. The current efforts to breed and disseminate new high yielding and climate ready maize varieties are implemented through the formal seed system; the chain of public and private sector activities and institutions that produce and release certified seeds. These efforts are taking place in contexts currently dominated by informal seed systems; local and informal seed management and exchange channels with a long history of adapting crops to local conditions. We here present a case study of the genetic effects of both formal and informal seed management from the semi-arid zone in Tanzania.

Results

Two open pollinated var

SUBMITTER: Westengen OT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3890540 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature