Proceedings of the Fifth Asian Regional Maize Workshop - Search ...

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140
120
100
80
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80
!Il
C
~ 40
20
1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998
Year
~ layer MlSh
~ Broiler Mash EZZa Human Con.umptlon
Fig. 3.
Projected maize requirement.
Research and development activities on maize.
The need for improvement of maize cultivation in Sri Lanka was realized in the early
1950's and the Regional Agric. Res. Center, Maha 11 1uppal lama was entrusted with the task of
carrying out research pertaining to the breeding and development of agronomic practices for this
crop. Four other Regional Research Centers namely Girandurukotte, Angunakolapellessa, Aralaganwila,
and Monaragala also assist to carry out research programs.
The objective of the maize improvement program is to develop cultivars that are high
yielding, with wider adaptation, shorter plant height, greater resistance to insects and diseases,
and that fit into the rainfall pattern of the main maize growing regions.
Based on the research, the following recommendations have been made and were included as
part of the improved package of practices for the farmers.
Vari eta1 improvement.
Progress on the varietal improvement work up to 1958 was reported by Sithamparanathan
(1958). In 1960, the open pollinated variety T-48 was released for cultivation. However, this
variety did not become popular with the farmers. Since 1967 close links were established with
the Inter-Asian Corn Improvement Program, "rhailand and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement
Center (CIMMYT). As a result, there was a regular flow of improved germplasm from these
institutions into the local program.
Thai Compo 1, a composite of 36 varieties mostly from Latin America and Cupurico x Flint
Compuesto, an advanced generation varietal cross, was subjected to mass selection under local
conditions for improvement of yield, adaptability, and other desirable characteristics. In 1977,
an improved version of Thai Composite was released under the name Bhadra-1.
Composite 6 was selected from a population developed by combining selected progenies of
the Thai Composite, Cupurico x Flint Compuesto, and Poza Rica 7425. This variety was released in
1990 under the name Ruwan.
The white seeded variety Across 7929 and the yellow Poza Rica 7931 were identified as
promising late and early maturing varieties respectively, and have been given the Sri Lankan
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