Development and spread of improved maize varieties and hybrids in developing countries

This report documents the maize varieties, hybrids, population, pools, and lines developed by CIMMYT and IITA for use by national research programs. Introductory sections provide background information on maize in terms of its biological characteristics and place in the world economy, as well as on the place of CIMMYT and IITA within the evolution of international germplasm development programs. The central section presents technical information on recent releases and use of improved maize materials in eastern and southern Africa (13 countries), western and central Africa (13 countries), North Africa and the Middle East (3 countries), Asia (10 countries), and Latin America (18 countries). The report then summarizes, in terms of area planted and yield, the use of improved genotypes in the world"s major regions and sub-regions. It is noted that further work is needed to more fully document the main genepools and to verify and expand the statistical data at the national level. An abstract of a recent study of the yield potential of tropical hybrids in the United States is included among the appendices. Includes 6 pages of references.