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Review
. 2018 Oct;45(Pt B):226-230.
doi: 10.1016/j.pbi.2018.05.004. Epub 2018 May 17.

Developing and deploying climate-resilient maize varieties in the developing world

Jill E Cairns  1 , B M Prasanna  2
Affiliations
Review

Developing and deploying climate-resilient maize varieties in the developing world

Jill E Cairns et al. Curr Opin Plant Biol. 2018 Oct.

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Asia maize yields remain variable due to climate shocks. Over the past decade extensive progress has been made on the development and delivery of climate-resilient maize. In 2016 over 70000 metric tonnes of drought-tolerant maize seed was commercialized in 13 countries in SSA, benefiting an estimated 53 million people. Significant progress is also being made with regard to the development and deployment of elite heat-tolerant maize varieties in South Asia. Increased genetic gain in grain yield under stress-prone environments, coupled with faster replacement of old/obsolete varieties, through intensive engagement with seed companies is essential to protect maize crops grown by smallholders from the changing climates in SSA and Asia.

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Figures

None
Graphical abstract
Figure 1
Figure 1
Estimated (a) maize area under climate-resilient maize, (b) number of households benefited from climate-resilient maize, and (c) economic value of increased maize production due to climate-resilient maize in 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Technologies to increase genetic gain around the “breeders equation” [34], technologies in parentheses can indirectly contribute to the variable.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    2. Challinor et al. highlight how current cycles of breeding, delivery and adoption of maize varieties in sub-Saharan Africa are not fast enough to offset potential losses.

Publication types