Demand-Driven Technologies for Sustainable Maize ... - IITA

98Effects of farmers’ seed source on maizeseed quality and crop productivity in GhanaE.A. Asiedu, R. Asante, P.Y.K Sallah, Alhassan Baduon and E. AvahCrops Research Institute, Kumasi, GhanaAbstractAlthough farmer-saved seed constitutes about 90% of maize seedplanted annually in Ghana, its effects on crop performance is not fullyknown. A study was conducted to determine the seed quality and fi eldperformance of farmer-saved seed of the most popular quality proteinmaize (QPM) variety, Obatanpa, compared to the certifi ed seed ofthe same variety. Certifi ed seed samples collected from four locations(Wenchi, Nkoranza, Ejura and Kwadaso) in Ghana showed higherpercentage complete vital staining of embryos using 2,3,5 triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), as well as higher 1000 seed weight,indicating high vigour and complete seed development. Whereasgerminating seedlings of the certifi ed seeds did not show any fungalgrowth, farmer-saved seeds showed profuse fungal development andstunting. Reduction in seedling counts was 9% in certifi ed seeds and24% in farmer-saved seeds, whereas reduction in plant counts priorto harvest was 12% in certifi ed seeds and 23% in farmer-saved seeds.Plants originating from certifi ed seeds fl owered at the predetermineddate of 55 days, whereas the farmer-saved seeds fl owered about a dayor two later due to reduced vigour. Less lodging occurred in plantsoriginating from certifi ed seeds, particularly in the trial planted at Ejura(Transition zone) than in Kwadao (Forest zone). The use of certifi edseeds increased grain yield by 47% over the farmer-saved seeds. Thestudy therefore demonstrates the importance of certifi ed seeds inincreasing maize productivity and farmers’ incomes.RésuméBien que les semences conservées par les agriculteurs constituent prèsde 90% des semences de maïs cultivées annuellement au Ghana,leurs effets sur la performance de la culture ne sont pas pleinementconnus. Une étude a été conduite pour déterminer la qualité et laperformance des semences conservées par les agriculteurs de lavariété de maïs riche en protéines de qualité la plus populaire (QPM),Obatanpa, en comparaison avec les semences certifi ées de la mêmevariété. Les échantillons de semences certifi ées recueillis dans quatre