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

(Notes by Dr. V.L. Chidley, Raporteur at the last sess~)
In the last session of the Workshop a round table discussion was held. Representatives from
all participating countries were asked hCNI CI~ could help in the work of corn improvement in
their respective countries. Participants were also requested to indicate the problems which they
want to work on as a national priority. The suggestions were:
Indonesia (Dr. F. Kasim)
1. Needs material resistant to acid soils and downy mildew.
2. Needs material tolerant to Rhizoctonia leaf and sheath blight.
3. Wishes to continue collaboration with CI~ and also with other countries.
4. Requests the establishment of a consortium of other countries to work in collaboration with
Indonesia.
Sri Lanka (Ms. A. M. Perera)
A task fource has been created to increase the productivity of maize. However, at present
only OPVs are available. To increase the productivity help from CI~ in hybrid and varietal
programs was sought. It was also reported that early maturity varieties are required to enable
farmers to harvest 2 crops per year - the traditional varieties take about 130-140 d.
Pakistan (Dr. M. Aslam)
The representative informed the group that early maturity maize is a priority for them, and
wanted to know how Sri Lanka and Pakistan can benefit from the early corn program of India. He
also indicated that CIMMYT material tested in Pakistan is medium-late. He suggested the establishment
of a network to evaluate and select early to extra early germplasm. If established,
they would like to participate in such a network. He also wanted more corn borer tolerant
materials from CIMMYT.
They would also be very int~rested in being involved in a network to evaluate borer resistant
germplasm. Dr. C. De Leon reported that 2 extra early populations - one white and the other
yellow have been developed With a target of about 80 d to maturity. Dr. G. Granados indicated
that for corn borer work Pakistan needs to develop more facilities to do research on this
problem.
Nepal (Mr. M. M. Palikhe)
Continuous rains are a problem in Nepal and therefore, it was suggested that a project on
ear rot should be added. It was also reported that Pool 9A has a good level of resistance to
foliar diseases but it is too late in maturity in the areas where needed.
Bhutan (Mr. N. Wangdi)
Suwan 1 was recently released and adapts well up to 1800 m elevation, but,
materials suitable for higher altitudes. Therefore materials suitable for highland
with turcicum resistance were requested.
they need
conditions
Philippines (Messrs. E. Bautista and V. Perdido)
There is a need for training on technology -for hybrid maize breeding, line development, and
data interpretation to their staff. They also indicated that waterlogging, especially due to
early season floods before tasseling stage of the crop, was a serious problem in northern Luzon.
They want to be involved in breeding for waterlogging resistance, in addition to their participation
on breeding for extra early germplasm.
Taiwan (Dr. C. T. Tseng)
Corn borer and downy mildew are the main problems in maize production.
Information
was
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