Download - Maize

2015: At least 10 new inbred lines and 20 new hybrids/OPVs with resistance to post‐harvest insectpests/pathogens
developed and made available for use by partners; markers/genes/QTL for
resistance to post‐harvest insect‐pest/pathogen detected and validated.
2016: A publicly‐accessible database on post‐harvest insect pests, losses, extent of mycotoxin
contamination and relevant technological interventions developed and made available to
partners.
2013–16: At least 80,000 people in target countries informed about mycotoxin‐associated health risks,
low‐cost storage structures, mycotoxin‐assaying methodologies and management strategies.
2016: Ex‐post assessment undertaken to gauge the impact of improved storage technologies on the
livelihoods of adopting farmers.
Linkages with other SIs
SI 6 will use high‐potential, stress‐tolerant germplasm developed in SI 4 and SI 5 as parental materials
for introgression of genes affecting mycotoxin contamination, and will deliver tolerant donors for use in
these SIs. SI 6 will use new tools developed in SI 9 (particularly doubled haploids) to speed line
extraction, and introduce rapid‐cycle genomic selection to speed population improvement for highly
quantitative traits such as storage insect resistance.
What's new in this initiative?
The SI will take a mulitfaceted approach— advanced breeding tools (including doubled haploids and
markers) will develop germplasm that combines resistance to post‐harvest insect pests, ear molds,
drought and mycotoxin contamination, and this will be coupled with introduction of low‐cost
storage structures and mycotoxin assaying techniques to limit post‐harvest losses and mycotoxinrelated
health risks. Biocontrol would be a new tool for aflatoxin mitigation in Africa.
The SI shall aggressively tackle the problems of scaling up low‐cost storage structures and screening
assays, also lift awareness of problems and thus mitigate post‐harvest losses and health risks and
burdens from mycotoxin contamination. Safe storage of maize at the farm level is crucial, as it
directly impacts poverty alleviation, food and income security, and prosperity for smallholder
farmers.
Megaprogram‐level investment provides the long‐term focus needed to effectively address the
complex problems of PHL and mycotoxin contamination for maize.
Targets and impact estimates
Primary targets for this SI will be maize‐based farming systems in five countries of sub‐Saharan Africa
(Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda and Ghana), two countries in Asia (Indonesia and Nepal), and Mexico.
In all these countries maize yields are low relative to worldwide averages and crops suffer high levels of
mycotoxin contamination, with more than 15% of grain lost during storage.
Kenya Malawi Nigeria Uganda Ghana Indonesia Nepal Mexico
Production 2,367,237 3,444,655 7,525,000 1,266,000 1,100,000 17,659,067 1,878,648 24,320,100
(tons)
Grain loss (%) 20–25 20–25 5–10 20–25 5–10 6–17 4–22 10–25
Mycotoxin 25–30%; 9% 27% 30% 65–80%; 47%; 50–83% 20–89%;
incidences (%) > 20 ppb > 20 ppb > 20 ppb > 20 ppb; 30-2000 ppb >50 ppb >50 ppb >20 ppb
No. of poor (in 9.0 5.9 107.1 7.8 10.7 18.2 10.4 10.9
millions, under
USD 1 )
131