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Hamadziripi, E. T., Collinson, S., Voss, R. C., Baudron, F., Labuschagne, M. T., Franke, A. C., ZamanāAllah, M., Olsen, M. S., BurgueƱo, J., & Cairns, J. E. (2024). Validating a novel genetic technology for hybrid maize seed production under management practices associated with resourceāpoor farmers in Zimbabwe. Plants People Planet. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10590
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Societal Impact Statement. A hybrid maize seed production technology has the potential to reduce the complexity of hybrid seed production and increase seed quality. Here, we investigate the potential impact of this technology on yields when hybrid maize is recycled. Hybrid maize recycling is a practice used by resource-poor farmers as a coping mechanism during drought years. Recycling hybrid maize produced using this technology could provide a small yet significant yield benefit to resource-poor farmers when they chose to recycle. This study provides an example of how social considerations can be incorporated into testing strategies of new technologies to ensure equitable benefits. Summary. Understanding the performance of new genetic technologies in farmers' real-world realities, especially those relevant to resource-poor farmers, is often overlooked but is essential to ensure equitable benefits. A new genetic technology was developed to simplify hybrid maize seed production in sub-Saharan Africa, thereby improving farmers' access to high-quality hybrid seed. Hybrids produced with this technology segregate 50:50 for pollen-producing and non-pollen producing and are designated 50% non-pollen producing (FNP). FNP maize has higher yields in low-input environments. As recycling hybrid maize seed remains a common practice in Zimbabwe, including among resource-poor households, it is important to understand the impact of recycling FNP seed on the yield gains from the FNP technology. The potential impact of recycling FNP hybrid seed was assessed by testing three seed recycling scenarios on-station and on-farm. The extent of hybrid seed recycling and the types of households recycling hybrid maize seed over a 3-year period were also investigated. Hybrid maize seed recycling was associated with resource-poor farmers, although it was not continually practiced across years. Yield gains associated with FNP were retained under recycling practices, albeit reduced. The greatest yield benefit was when seed from only non-pollen-producing plants was used. Yield gains were associated with longer ears and more kernels per ear. While recycling hybrid maize seed reduces potential yields due to inbreeding depression, in the years when farmers cannot afford to plant hybrid maize only, recycling non-pollen-producing hybrid maize seed conferred a yield benefit of 116ākgāhaā1.
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Journal
Plants People Planet
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In press
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Place of Publication
United Kingdom
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Related Datasets
CGIAR Initiatives
Initiative
Accelerated Breeding
Impact Area
Gender equality, youth & social inclusion
Poverty reduction, livelihoods & jobs
Poverty reduction, livelihoods & jobs
Action Area
Genetic Innovation
Donor or Funder
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)