Since 1998 IFDC has collaborated with the International Center for Improvement of Maize and Wheat (CIMMYT)’s Maize Program in eastern and central Africa with the assignment of a soil fertility specialist and maize systems agronomist to CIMMYT’s team in Nairobi, Kenya. The scientist is responsible for strategic crop and soil management research in the region focused on (1) on-farm evaluation and dissemination of new stress-tolerant and nutritionally enhanced maize varieties from CIMMYT’s regional germplasm improvement projects; and (2) development, evaluation and dissemination of agronomic practices that enhance the productivity of this germplasm including integrated management of inorganic and organic nutrients in maize-based cropping systems, and soil moisture conservation technologies for maize cropping systems in dry areas. This research is conducted in close collaboration with CIMMYT scientists and agronomists and soil scientists of national agricultural research systems (NARS) in countries forming part of the East and Central Africa Maize and Wheat (ECAMAW) Research Network.

The CIMMYT maize-breeding program in eastern Africa has developed maize varieties adapted to local conditions and tolerant of low soil N fertility and drought for four main agroecologies in the region. These materials will have different fertilizer N requirements and agronomic characteristics for optimal performance. IFDC’s soil scientist/agronomist has been working with breeders, agronomists and socioeconomists in NARS in a program of on-farm evaluation of new maize varieties using the farmer participatory "Mother & Baby Trials" methodology developed by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). During the "long rains" of 2001, some 33 Mother trials and 336 Baby trials were planted in rural communities and on farmers’ fields under different levels of fertility and nutrient management.

Soil fertility improvement is a significant part of the research program – in recognition of the fact that this is one of the most important abiotic constraints to increased production of maize in the region. Additionally, recognizing the constraints faced by farmers in purchasing inorganic fertilizers, much emphasis is placed on the use of organic sources available or produced on-farm and in the integration of inorganic and organic sources. During the past 3 years, trials by ECAMAW network scientists in Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya have evaluated green manure/cover crops, animal manures, and composts in combination with inorganic fertilizers in more than 125 on-farm and on-station trials. Locally adapted green manure species have been identified and are currently being tested in different configurations with maize (that is, intercropped, relay cropped or rotated) and in comparison and combination with fertilizer N sources.

Research has also been undertaken to refine and adapt soil moisture conservation methods for the dryland maize-producing areas of eastern Africa. Techniques such as tied-ridging are being tested in combination with drought stress-tolerant maize varieties from CIMMYT’s breeding program. In these environments, fertilizer use is much riskier than in more favorable environments. However, adoption of soil moisture conservation practices in combination with stress-tolerant varieties potentially reduces risk of crop failure and makes investments in soil fertility improvement more possible.

For more information regarding this project, contact Dr. Dennis K. Friesen—d.friesen@cgiar.org

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