Identification and diversity of tropical maize inbred lines with resistance to common rust ( Schwein).

Common rust (CR) caused by Schwein is one of the major foliar diseases of maize ( L.) in Eastern and Southern Africa. This study was conducted to (i) evaluate the response of elite tropical adapted maize inbred lines to and identify resistant lines (ii) examine associations between CR disease parameters and agronomic traits, and (iii) assess the genetic diversity of the inbred lines.

Genomic Prediction with Genotype by Environment Interaction Analysis for Kernel Zinc Concentration in Tropical Maize Germplasm.

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a major risk factor for human health, affecting about 30% of the world's population. To study the potential of genomic selection (GS) for maize with increased Zn concentration, an association panel and two doubled haploid (DH) populations were evaluated in three environments. Three genomic prediction models, M (M1: Environment + Line, M2: Environment + Line + Genomic, and M3: Environment + Line + Genomic + Genomic x Environment) incorporating main effects (lines and genomic) and the interaction between genomic and environment (G x E) were assessed to estimate the prediction ability ( ) for each model.

Genomic Prediction of Kernel Zinc Concentration in Multiple Maize Populations Using Genotyping-by-Sequencing and Repeat Amplification Sequencing Markers.

Enriching of kernel zinc (Zn) concentration in maize is one of the most effective ways to solve the problem of Zn deficiency in low and middle income countries where maize is the major staple food, and 17% of the global population is affected with Zn deficiency. Genomic selection (GS) has shown to be an effective approach to accelerate genetic gains in plant breeding. In the present study, an association-mapping panel and two maize double-haploid (DH) populations, both genotyped with genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and repeat amplification sequencing (rAmpSeq) markers, were used to estimate the genomic prediction accuracy of kernel Zn concentration in maize.

Assessment of Management Options on Striga Infestation and Maize Grain Yield in Kenya.

The parasitic purple witchweed [Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth.] is a serious constraint to maize production in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in poor soils.