Abstract

Eight quality protein maize (QPM) varieties were evaluated for their agronomic performance and disease reaction in the derived savanna agro-ecology of south-west Nigeria for two years. The eight varieties comprised of three hybrid varieties (Mama-ba, Dada-ba and CIDA-ba) and five open pollinated (OP) varieties (Obatampa, EV8363, EV8766, Pool-18-SR and Pool-15-SR). Differences among the varieties were significant for plant and ear heights, number of days to 50% tasling and grain yield. Two hybrid varieties, Mama-ba and CIDA-ba had the highest grain yields of 4.59 and 4.20 t/ha respectively with Obatampa having the lowest yield of 2.95 t/ha. Mama-ba exhibited a yield advantage of 16.20% over the best OP variety (EV8363). All the QPM varieties were susceptible to southern leaf blight, curvelaria leaf spot and maize rust fungal diseases to varying degrees. The severity of each of these diseases on the QPM varieties was however low less than 3.0. The implications of these findings on QPM introduction and development in Nigeria were discussed.

Key words: Quality protein maize, grain yield, fungal diseases, Nigeria.