Abstract:

This project has now developed an army of germplasm including inbred lines and
hybrids that are poised for release and production by farmers. This will follow earlier
hybrids released by the National Program in 2002 all of which are now being
marketed by the seed companies. In 2007, nineteen three-way cross hybrids were
nominated for formal assessment in national performance trials at six locations
representing different agro-ecologies in Uganda. We also conducted on-farm and
Mother-baby trials of sixteen entries including three company materials and three
commercial varieties on farmers' fields in the districts of lganga, Wakiso and Masindi.
These materials are undergoing final evaluation for development of descriptors and
characterization by the National Seed Certification Services for distinctness,
uniformity and stability. Of these, three will be presented as candidates for release
based on their significant yield advantage over the commercial checks across
locations and seasons.
The Program also developed 94 new three-way hybrids that were evaluated in two
sets for the first time in 2007. These hybrids are currently undergoing second season
testing with harvest expected at the end of February. In addition, a set of trial
consisting of 45 single cross hybrids were selected and evaluated to ascertain their
combining abilities and performance across locations and seasons. Some of the better
performing single cross hybrids will be nominated directly for formal assessment for
their eventual release and the rest will be crossed with at least three inbred lines from
our Program with good general combining ability to form new set of three-way
hybrids. In addition, best performing single crosses are being used to develop partial
inbred lines. Advanced inbred lines locally developed by the program were classified
into heterotic patterns and estimates of their general combining ability were
determined with a view of developing local program testers to be used in future
crosses.
There was wide spread drought at the beginning of the season delaying the planting
season, nevertheless, the newly developed varieties performed well. This was because as the season progressed more than usual rainfall totals were received throughout the
country. Some of the materials are undergoing second season testing in the second
rains of 2007 with harvest expected at the end of February, 2008. The program has
initiated work to develop locally adapted inbred lines from both single cross hybrids
and other Gennplasm within the program.
As a short-term strategy to address other constraints, we acquired a range of
Germplasm CIMMYT regional breeding centers and evaluated them in appropriate
environments within the country with a view of identifying any useful material.
CIMMYT regional breeding centers and other partners have developed array of
Germplasm with other useful traits addressing marginal areas such as highland
materials, IR for striga prone areas, extra early varieties, drought tolerant and QPM
varieties. These materials include open-pollinated varieties, top crosses, synthetics,
three way and double crosses and inbred lines that can be of importance to farmers,
small and medium-scale seed companies and national breeding program.