Preliminary evaluation of improved maize varieties for tolerance to Striga hermonthica at Mokwa, Nigeria.

Five improved maize varieties including the local check (TZ SR - Y) were evaluated for their tolerance to Striga hermonthica in order to identify the most suitable, high yielding and adapted varieties for use in striga-infested areas at the Mokwa experimental station of the National Cereals Research Institute. The varieties were planted in plots consisting of four rows and the data were collected from the two inner rows. The striga emergence count at 12 weeks after sowing (WAS) along with the grain yield showed significant differences among the varieties. With the exception of the local check, variety ACR 94 TZE comp 5-w significantly out-yielded all the other varieties under investigation.