By David Jones
What follows is a list of highland maize varieties grown in Kenya, their strong attributes and their vulnerabilities, especially to certain pests & diseases.
Pannar 691
Still arguably the standard for yield despite being released in 2001. In most highland areas it requires 160 days to maturity. Good disease resistance and as our fungicide trials showed, low response to fungicides.
Pannar 683
Never quite reached the popularity of 691, but to be candid it is a clone of 691; no advance in yield and 691 already has good standing power and disease resistance, giving growers little incentive to grow 683.
30G19
Average standing power. Lodging is the weakness of this variety despite its yield potential being right up there with 691. 10 days earlier to maturity in most areas, and produces brilliant white grain
P3812
Large, stubby cobs over 14 or 16 grains around – often more than one per plant. Rust needs watching from an early stage, but just as stiff and high yielding in my experience. If anything at low populations it is more forgiving than 691, producing more cobs where planting suffers. Cobs tend to be low on the plant but droop reasonably well.
SC Twiga 81
From the little, I have seen of this variety the yield potential is very high, but the Rust susceptibility for such a tall variety is not an attractive combination. A classic multi-purpose variety and one that I would not want to cut with a combine given how high the cobs can be.
600-16A
Stands well, but not up to the Kenya Seed varieties in terms of yield. Possibly a bit stronger on Rust and Leaf Blight.
H6213
Gets Rust in any environment, but reasonable standing power for such as tall variety. Frequently double cobs. Of all the various plots I have sprayed for Fall Armyworm, getting coverage on the silks of 6213 with a knapsack is quite a task given how high up the plan they are!
H6218
A 5-10% yield advantage over 6213, and possibly less Northern Corn Leaf Blight in my experience. Great for livestock farmers looking for forage but not a commercial grain variety.
H614D
As you would expect from a variety released 33 years ago, the yield is easily 40% less than more recent introductions. Tall, lodged badly in 2017 with the late rains in Uasin Gishu and Trans-Nzoia. Grey Leaf Spot resistance is poor
Wildcards
DK 90-89
Known for its standing power. Plant some at 80,000 seeds/ha and see how it compares to 55,000 seeds of 691 or 30G19. A week earlier than 691 to harvest but watch the Rust. Quality is well above 691 with far less discoloured and rotten grains.
PAN 15
Another stiff, short variety that will really suit a proper plant population. With a high clearance sprayer, the short crop allows much later Fall Armyworm sprays and fungicides – which is handy as it tends to be amongst the earlier varieties to show Leaf Blight.
Pan 8M-93
Not quite as strong in the straw come harvest, sometimes stands well but can collapse very late on. Slightly earlier than 691. Group B herbicide tolerance allows the use of nicosulfuron herbicide which would be a transformation for growers struggling with grass weeds if or when it arrives in Kenya. One could argue that maturity and altitude suitability are a complete anachronism without eliminating weed competition, getting soil structure and nutrition correct.
David Jones is the Broad Acre Specialist at Crop Nutrition Laboratory Services Ltd. (CROPNUTS). https://cropnuts.com/
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