Assessing the performance of promising maize hybrids resistant to aflatoxin accumulation in the forest-transition agro-ecologies of Ghana

Abstract

The production of maize in Ghana is affected by Aflatoxin contaminations which reduce grain quality and possess high health risk. Unsafe Aflatoxin levels above 20ppb have been reported from farmers‘ fields. The study was conducted to assess the performance of 18 maize hybrids resistant to aflatoxin accumulation in the forest transition ecologies in Ghana. The study comprised fourteen hybrids and four local checks evaluated using Randomized Complete Block Design across six ecologies in Ghana. Stability of the genotypes was estimated using the GGE Biplot model. Inoculation was done using the side needle method at a concentration of 9×107conidia/ml. Levels of aflatoxin were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Results from the study revealed that, genotypic and environmental effects on some traits were consistently significant across environments. However, a non-significant genotype by environment interaction was observed for grain yield. Based on the GGE biplot analyses, MO826-12FxCML-343, MO826-7FxCML-343, ENT-85xCML-247, ENT-5xCML-287, ENT-5xTZ1-8, ENT-70xCML-247, were the highest yielding and stable genotypes whereas MO826-12FxCML-343, ENT-70xCML-247 were most stable hybrids. Genotypes ENT-5xCML-11, ENT-5xK1-3 and MO826-7FxTZ1-8 were lowest yielding whereas ENT-5xK1-3 was low yielding yet most stable. The study revealed MO826-12FxCML-343 and ENT-70xCML-247 as most stable among the top yielding hybrids with 14.30ppb and 25ppb aflatoxin levels after inoculation respectively. It is recommended that genotype MO826-12FxCML-343 and ENT-70xCML-247 should be further evaluated and released to farmers.