Abstract

Abdoul-Madjidou Yacoubou*, Abib Aboudou, Alain S. Yaoitcha, Abebe Menkir, Baffour Badu-Apraku, Bunmi Olasanmi, Emmanuel Sekloka, Bio Bourandi Korokoro, Narcisse S. Hounfodji, Francois-Xavier Bachabi, Nouhoun Wallis Zoumarou*

Striga spp. are most parasitic weeds affecting maize productivity in Benin. This study aims to assess the agronomic performance of improved varieties with combined resistance and tolerance to Striga hermonthica in endemic area in Benin. Six maize hybrid genotypes developed for Striga resistance at IITA Ibadan and three open pollinated varieties as checks used by farmers in Benin, have been evaluated under Striga and non-Striga conditions. The trials were conducted in a criss cross randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications during in two locations during 2018 and 2019 growing seasons. Data were collected on grain yield, its principal components, and Striga adaptive traits and subjected to analysis of variance at α 0.05. The grain yield across the locations under Striga and non-Striga infestation ranged between 3.17 and 4.54 t/ha for hybrids and between 1.38 and 3.29 t/ha for the local varieties used as checks. The grain yield under Striga infestation ranged between 1.07 (DMR ESR-W) and 4.11t/ha (TzdEI 173 x TzdEI 492) at Angaradébou and between 1.04 (TZE COMP3 DTC) and 4.66t/ha (TzdEI 352 x TzdEI 355) at Komkoma. Under non Striga infestation, TZE COMP3 DTC had the lowest yield of 2.70 t/ha as well as at Komkoma (2.72 t/ha), and TzdEI 352 x TzdEI 355 had the highest grain yield of 4.94 t/ha at Angaradébou and genotype TzdEI 173 x TzdEI 280 had the highest grain yield of 4.53t/ha. The high yielding and more stable genotype was TzdEI 352 x TzdEI 355 across the environments, and could be integrated in framers’ maize crop systems in northern of Benin.