Abstract:

'1. Background
Maize is a very important cereal crop
produced almost throughout the country. It
is valuable as a food and cash crop. The
Cereals Research Program based at
Namulonge Agricultural and Animal
Production Research Institute aims at high yielding varieties that are resistant tolerant to major pests and diseases and providing appropriate maize production technology package to the farmers for increased maize production. In 1991, an open pollinated variety (OPV) Longe 1 was released to farmers followed by single cross hybrids Longe 2H and Longe 3H in 1998. Early maturing Longe 4 and high protein maize Longe 5 (both OPVS') were also released. The open pollinated varieties, Longe 1,4 and 5 have a yield potential of 4-5 tonslha. In 2002,3- Way hybrids, Longe 6H, 7H and 8H with yield potential of 7-9 tons/ha were released. Maize seed is distributed by seed companies and at the District Agricultural Ofices countrywide.