Author(s)

Kabongo Tshiabukole^1*, Pongi Khonde¹, Mbuya Kankolongo¹, Tshimbombo Jadika¹, Kaboko Kasongo¹, Mulumba Badibanga¹, Tshibanda Kasongo¹, Kizungu Vumilia²

¹Institut National Pour l’Etude et la Recherche Agronomiques (INERA), Kinshasa, Gombe.
²Biométrie et Expérimentation, INERA DG & Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Gombe.

Six new provitamin A hybrids (LY1001-14, LY1001-22 and LY1001-23,) and synthetic maize varieties (PVASYN13, PVASYN9 and PVASYN7) were tested for their agronomic performance and compared to a locally adapted improved open pollinated variety (SAMARU) in the central and western conditions of DRC. A randomized complete block experiment with four replications was used. Following data were collected: 50% male and female flowering, plant and ear aspect, diseases incidence, plant height, ear aspect, ear rot and yield. The results showed non-significant differences (p > 0.05) in disease incidence and ears rot. Significant differences were observed (p < 0.05) for number of days to 50% of male and female flowering, anthesis-silking interval, plant height, plant aspect, ear aspect, and yield. For yield, two hybrids (LY100-14 and LY1001-22) respectively out-yielded local check by 71% and 56% while one synthetic (PVASYN 9) out-yielded the local check by 31% and the two others were comparable to the local check. Thus the hybrids (LY100-14 and LY1001-22) and synthetic varieties (PVASYN 9 and PVASYN13) are ready to be recommended for release to contribute to better production and nutrition for vulnerable people.

Bio-Fortification, Maize, Agronomic Performance, Provitamin A, INERA DRC

Tshiabukole, K. , Khonde, P. , Kankolongo, M. , Jadika, T. , Kasongo, K. , Badibanga, M. , Kasongo, T. and Vumilia, K. (2017) Suitable Hybrids and Synthetics Provitamin A Maize Selected for Release in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Open Access Library Journal, 4, 1-10. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1103446.