Breeding maize cultivars for drought tolerance in Malawi

摘要

Maize is the main staple food in Malawi and is a major source of carbohydrates. The rising demand for food has also turned it into a cash crop. Maize is planted on 70% of arable land with an average yield of 1.3 million metric tons per year, with an average yield of 1.2 t/ha (Smale, 1999; CIMMYT, 1999). However, yield is low and drought is the principal factor influencing maize productivity in Malawi. Drought, mainly caused by insufficient rainfall and poor distribution during growth, is one of the most important abiotic stresses affecting maize production in Malawi and is the most important source of variation in yield over time. The development of varieties with high and stable grain yields under drought in Malawi, would therefore be a high priority as the use of drought-tolerant cultivars may be the only affordable option for small-scale farmers.