Abstract
On-farm trials were conducted in 1996 and 1997 to evaluate the performance of 11 extra-early maize (Zea mays L.) varieties of diverse international origin at two locations, viz., Kafinsoli and Ladanawa in the Sudan savannah zone of Nigeria, using a randomized complete block design with four replications. Grain yield of each of the 11 varieties varied slightly between the locations in each year in relation to rainfall pattern. Two varieties, viz., 95TZEEY1 and 95TZEEW1 gave fairly stable and consistently higher grain yields than the other varieties evaluated at both locations. The two varieties also gave higher straw weights and were among the group of varieties with greater plant height and grain:straw ratio. The two varieties gave mean yields that were similar (P > 0.05). It was found that grain yield, straw weight, plant height, and grain colour affected the farmers' choice of variety in the Sudan savannah zone. Based on these factors, three varieties, 95TZEEW1, 95TZEEY1, and TZEE-WSR-BC5 were identified as preferred varieties and are recommended for cultivation in the Sudan.
