Varietal Selection

The choice of appropriate maize varieties for a given location is very important because every variety has extensively been tested and recommended based on climatic conditions, soil type, yield potential, tolerance/resistance to pest and diseases or maturity period among others (Table 1).

i) Open pollinated variety (OPV)

These are stabilised varieties in which farmers do not need new seed each year. If farmers follow proper selection procedures they can use their seeds selected from their harvests up to three seasons after which they can buy fresh seeds from seed companies. However, yields of OPV are lower than hybrids.

ii) Hybrid

Hybrids are high yielding and new certified seeds should be purchased every season.

Eco-zone and main areas where found	Recommendedvarieties	Maturity(months)	Yield      potential           (bags/ acre)
Highland zones with high rainfall; Altitude:15002100m above sea level; Areas: Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Kericho, Nandi, Bungoma, Laikipia, Kisii, Narok and Tea zones of Central and Eastern provinces	H 627 H 626 H 625 H614D	6-8 6-8 6-8 6-9	42 38 34 32
Highland zones, high rainfall; Altitudes: 1000-1700m above sea level; Areas: Baringo, Siaya, Kisumu, Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Nakuru, South, Nyanza, Taita Taveta	H632, WE1101 H622	6-8 6-8	24 22
Coffee zone medium long growing season; Altitude: 1000-1800m above sea leave; Areas: Coffee zones of Central and Eastern provinces, Kisii, Narok, Nakuru, Siaya, Kisumu, Busia, Kakamega,Bungoma, West Pokot, Keiyo, Marakwet	H513 PHB3253 H511 Duma 43	4-5 4-5 4-5 4-5	20 20 16 18
Dryland areas. Marginal areas with low rainfall.(400mm-800mm); Altitude: 1000-1800 above sea level; Areas: Kitui, Machakos, West Pokot, Makueni, Kajiado, Isiolo, Lower Meru and Embu, Siaya, Kisumu	KCB, KDV 1, KDV 4 and KDV 6, Sungura, Sawa DH01 DH02	3-4 3-4 3-4	12 14 14
AItitude: 800 – 1200 m above sea level, Drier areas same as for Kitui, Machakos, Makueni drier areas	DLC	3-4	11
Lowland zones – Hot humid; Altitude: 0-1200m above sea level	PH4 PH1	3-4 3-4	18 14

Recommended maize varieties in the Western Kenya and Rift Valley regions under KCEP are presented in Table 1.

Table 1: Recommended maize varieties for Western Kenya and Rift Valley regions under KCEP

Variety	Source	Agro- Ecological Zone where grown	Yield         potential            (90       kg       bag/acre)
H 6218	Kenya Seed Company	Highlands	56
H 6213	Kenya Seed Company	Highlands	52
H 6210	Kenya Seed Company	Highlands	50
H614D	Kenya Seed Company	Highlands	33
H629	Kenya Seed Company	Highlands	35
H624	Kenya Seed Company	Highlands	35
H 517	Kenya Seed Company	Highlands	20
P 30G19	Pioneer Seed Company	Medium	30
SIMBA 61	Seedco Company	Medium	30
WH505	Western Seed Company	Medium	30

Source: KALRO-KCEP Technology Validation Report, 2016.

2.1.2 Seed selection and treatment

Farmers are advised to use certified seeds that are available at the authorized agents. Maize variety selection depends on:

i) End-use

Maize is primarily grown for grains, silage and stock feed. Ensure the variety you grow is suited to the end use market you are aiming for.

ii) Maturity

Plan to sow seeds of chosen variety in the recommended planting windows outlined in Table 2, ensuring maturity, expected rainfall and expected harvest time (days to harvest) . It is also important to ensure harvest will not be far into the dry season as prolonged drought will encourage the onset of aflatoxin in maize.

iii) Stability

Select varieties that have well developed roots, strong stalks, and are resistant to root and stalk rot. These features help prevent the plant from falling over/logging, which can lower the yield and quality of the grain.

iv) Insect and disease tolerance/resistance

Always select a maize variety that is known to have tolerance/resistance to a disease or insect pest common in your area where is to be grown so as to attain maximise yield potential.

Note: If you receive or acquire a new maize variety, then test it on small plots before scaling up the production to big plots. Observe and compare the performance of the new variety with the other varieties at every stage of growth under similar management conditions of planting time, weeding and soil fertility management. This will help you to choose the best performing variety under local prevailing conditions.

Table   2:         Land preparation practices/technologies mostly employed in the major maize growing areas

	Land    preparation     practices/technologies
	Maize  zones	Conventional            land        preparation:	Conventional            land    preparation	Conservation  Agriculture
1	Highland Plough twice and and harrow once medium or plough once regions but at least 3  months before the anticipated time of planting + 2 harrows just before planting		One plough (disc or  moldboard) + 1 harrow	Use Glyphosate  based herbicide at 2 l/acre during fallow and 1.2 l/ acre at least  2 weeks before planting
2	Lower coast and Dry areas of Lower eastern	This involves the use of oxen to plough the land. However, it is not suitable where soils are heavy and terrain is steep

2.1.3 Testing for germination

While the germination percentage (%) of seeds is supposed to be indicated on every sold packet, farmers often get non-germinating seeds and this results in disappointment after planting. Therefore, it is advisable always acquire fresh seeds from an authorized dealer based on the packaging date shown. If there is remnant seeds from the previous stock, a farmer should always conduct a simple germination test. Counting a 100 seeds of a selected maize variety and put between moist old newspapers does this. After four days of incubation, the germinated seeds are counted and divided by the total seeds and expressed as a percentage. For example, if out of the 100 seeds 85 seeds germinate, germination percent will be 85%. A germination percentage of 85-100% is considered good for the maize seed. In case germination rate is lower, you may increase sowing density correspondingly to ensure appropriate plant density (for example plant 2-3 seeds) per hole.

To ensure high maize yields, select highly productive land suitable that is suitable for maize production. For example, avoid steeply sloping land, or near a swamp, very sandy soils, and areas with shallow surface soil, places with couch grass or under trees.

Plant immediately following the first effective rainfall. Choose a seed variety that suits the expected rainfall you receive in your area. Use shortseason varieties in dry areas, and only choose a long-season type if you are in a very high rainfall area or you have access to irrigation.