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SEASON’S GREETINGS – FROM THE DIRECTORATE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BOARD AND
MANAGEMENT OF IAR, I WARMLY CONGRATULATE THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IN THE INSTITUTE AND
THE UNIVERSITY ON THIS JOYOUS OCCASION OF THE YELETIDE SEASON. AS THE YEAR GRADUALLY
WINDS UP, LET US REFLECT SOBERLY ON ALL OUR ACHIEVEMENTS OR OTHERWISE DURING THE YEAR
AND COMMIT TO BETTER SERVICE DELIVERY. WE PRAY FOR A SERENE AND PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERE
DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON AND GREATER COMMITMENT, ZEAL AND DETERMINATION TO CARRY OUT
OUR RESEARCH, TEACHING AND COMMUNITY SERVICE TO OUR TEEMING FARMERS AND CLIENTELE IN
THE COMING YEAR. AS WE COME BACK IN 2022, WE HOPE YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN REFRESHED
ENOUGH TO FACE THE CHALLENGES AHEAD AS WE PARTNER TOGETHER IN THE TEAM SPIRIT AND
CULTURE OF PROMPT RESUMPTION OF DUTY AT 7:15AM. ONCE MORE, I WISH YOU ALL, MERRY
CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. PROF. M.F. ISHIYAKU, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

(+234) 07064218559, 07050589801, 08035787291Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello

University, Zaria.

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Cereal Research

Cereal Research

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Prof. Afiniki Bawa Zarafi

Prof. R.S. Adamu

INTRODUCTION

The Programme is one of the largest research Programmes in the Institute that is responsible for
development and release of cereal crop varieties of high grain yielding abilities and nutritional qualities,
resistance to diseases and pests, tolerance to drought and responsiveness to good agronomic
management and post-harvest technological practices. In the past the Programmes worked on crops
including Sorghum, Maize, Millet, Wheat and Barley which are among the most popular and important
cereals crops grown in Nigeria. The National Agricultural policy has streamlined Research focus of
Agricultural Institutes. The Institutes now has only the National mandate for research in Sorghum
(Sorghum bicalar (L) and Maize zea major.

The Programme research thought is in line with the National policy on food security Research Projects
are design based on the major current production challenges of Sorghum and millet. The major aim of
the programme is no enhance Maize and Sorghum productivity per unit area and crops utilization for
food and feed.cereal

Objectives Of The Programme

To develop high yielding, disease and pest resistant and drought tolerant varieties and hybrids of
Sorghum and Maize crops for quality (nutritious) food and industrial uses.

To evolve cultural, management and protection practices for optional and dependable yields.

To establish environment requirements and to evolve technological practices for quality produce.

To establish the socio-economics and production suitable for adoption of our technologies on cereals to
enhance the socio economic status of farmers.

(B)The specific objectives of the programme based on the Institutes short and medium farm plan (2020-
2025) and:

Development and Deployment of Technologies that will improve the productivity per unit area of Maize
and Sorghum by at least 30 – 40% and increase the total productive of the Crops in Nigeria.
Promote the cultivation of high Maize and Sorghum varieties and hybrids by farmers through on form
Demonstrations using farmer groups and adopted villagers.

Development and packaging of improved technologies for extra early, early, and medium measuring
varieties of maize and Sorghums for different Agro-e cologies

Increase in the quantity and quality breeder and foundation seeds of Maize and Sorghum for uptake by
seed companies and outgrows.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PROGRAMME

The Programme has achieved a lot in the areas of crop variety improvement, cultural practices and
management of crop against pests and diseases for better output.

i. Crop Variety Improvement: The Programme has developed and released 49 improved Sorghum
varieties designated as SAMSORG 1-49 and 57 improved Maize varieties released as SAMMAZ 1-57.
Some of the good qualities of these varieties include the following:

a. High yields

b. Drought tolerance and Striga resistance for both Sorghum and Maize.

c. Excellent grain quality e.g. quality protein Maize (QPM).

c. Good Sorghum malting quality for industrial beer brewing.

c. Sorghum flour for composite bread, biscuits, cakes, etc.

c. Different maturity classes of varieties of the two crops suit to the different ecological areas of the
Savanna.
ii. Cultural Practices and Management: Developed appropriate Planting dates, plant spacing (75cm x
25cm), plant population (53,000 plants/ha), fertilizer types, rates and time of application for early
medium and late maturity varieties as well as herbicides and pesticides have been developed and
packaged accordingly for the different types of varieties.

CHALLENGES OF THE PROGRAMME

i. Irregular sufficient funding to research

ii. Lack of modern research equipment.

ON-GOING RESEARCH PROJECTS

Sorghum

S/N

Research title

Research Scientists

Sorghum Germplasm in Nigeria

Yeye and Aba

2

Screening for Striga Resistance in Sorghum

Yeye, Aba, Abdulmalik and Shebayan

Variety Evaluation

Yeye, Aba and Abdulmalik

Hybrid Development

Yeye Aba and Abdulmaliki

Population Improvement Hybridization and Selection of Sorghum lines

Aba, Yeye Shebayan and Halilu

6
Variety Testing

Aba Yeye, Shebayan and Halilu

Sorghum Seed Production

Aba, Yeye and Halilu

Productivity of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) as influenced by Types and Rates of Biochar

Ishaya, Amapu, Shebayan and Tunku

Effects of cow dung and inorganic nitrogen on growth, grain yield and grain malting qualities of two
Sorghum varieties

Goma, Labe, Mani and Tunku

10

Effects of stand configuration and nitrogen rate on short Kaura sorghum productivity

Labe, Goma, Adamu and O.O Ugbabe

Stem borer resistance to sorghum as influenced by sowing date and nitrogen rate

Labe, Yeye, Aba and Adamu

Maize

12

Maintenance of maize germplasm

Oyekunle, Ado, Usman, Abdullahi and Hussaini

13

Introgression of quality protein (QPM) gene into normal maize germplasm

Oyekunle, Ado, Usman, Abdullahi and Hussaini

14

Development of Drought and Flood Tolerant Maize Germplasm

Oyekunle, Ado, Mani, Abdullahi, Usman, and Hussaini

15

Evaluation of improved Maize germplasm in multi-locations

Oyekunle, Ado, Mani, Abdullahi, Usman, and Hussaini

16

Development of Striga resistant maize germplasm

Oyekunle, Usman, Ado, Abdullahi, and Hussaini

17

Evaluation improved Maize germplasm in multi-locations

Oyekunle, Usman, Ado, Halilu Abdullahi, Mani, Hussaini and Abdulsalam

18

Evaluation of orange Maize varieties and hybrids

Oyekunle, Ado, Mani, Usman and Abdullahi

19

Evaluation of improved Maize germplasm of private seed companies in multi-locations

Oyekunle, Ado, Mani, Usman and Abdullahi,

20

Breeder Seed Production of Released IAR Maize Germplasm

Oyekunle, Ado, Usman, Abdullahi and Huassaini

21

Development of drought and Striga resistance Maize inbred lines using pedigree breeding method

Oyekunle, Ado and Hassan

22

Inheritance of resistance to Exerrohilum turcicum leaf blight in maize

Oyekunle, Abdulkarim (M.Sc. Student), M. Yusuf, and M.D. and Katung

23

Effects of organic manures and inorganic phosphorus fertilizer on the productivity of maize in northern
Guinea savanna

D. A. Labe, L. Goma, and Babaji

24

Evaluation of seed treatment and time of foliar insecticide spray for the management of maize stem
borer (Busseola fusca)

Utono and Adamu

25

Nitrogen rate and its split application with and without basal organic manure in Maize

Labe, Goma , Adamu and Ugbabe

26

Effect of stand configuration and nitrogen rate on Maize productivity

Labe, Goma , Adamu and Ugbabe

27

Sero-detection and distribution of Maize lethal necrosis disease inducing viruses on maize and their
weed hosts in Kaduna and Kano states

Kashina, Bello, Banwo and Alegbejo

28

Bioecology and Management of an invasive pest Fall armyworm Spodeptera frugiperda in Northern
Nigeria

Adamu, Inusa, Utono and Mani

29

Evaluation of plant arrangement in the push-pull habitat manipulation for the management of maize
stem borer (Busseola fusca)

Adamu, Utono, Mani and Abdusalam

30

Ecology of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPNs) and their potentials for use as biological control agents
of insect pests of Maize (Busseola fusca and Spodeptera frugiperda) in North Western Nigeria

Okolo, Chindo, Bulus and Adamu

31

Effect of time of foliar insecticide application on Fall Armyworm (Spodeptera frugiperda) infestation and
yield of Maize in Samaru

Utono and Adamu

32

Sowing date and nitrogen for irrigated foxtail Millet in Nigeria

Labe, Goma, Mahadi, Luka and Hussaini

2019/2020 ANNUAL REVIEW MEETING

List of RPBs and RPAs

S/No.

Research Title

Researchers

Researcher’s Next Line of Action

Decision of Research Review Committee

A.

ON-GOING PROJECS (Sorghum)

1.

Sorghum Germplasms in Nigeria

Yeye and Aba

Germplasm maintenance is a periodic exercise to preserve the viability of the materials. The exercise is
therefore recommended to continue.

Approved to continue

2.

Screening for Striga Resistance in Sorghum

Yeye, Aba, Abdulmalik and Shebayan

Development of Striga resistant varieties of sorghum is an activity under the HOPE II Project. The
exercise is therefore recommended to continue.

Approved to continue

3.

Hybrid Development
Yeye, Aba and Abdulmalik

Work to continue What work done give brief detail

4.

Variety Evaluation

Yeye, Aba and Abdulmalik

Selections and evaluation of elite varieties is a continuous process, work is recommended to continue.

Approved to continue

5.

Population Improvement, Hybridization and Selection of Sorghum Lines

Aba,Yeye, shebayaan

And Halilu
We intend to repeat the trial in 2019 in the same location

Approved to continue contact the HOD for Halilu replacement

6.

Variety Testing

Aba, Yeye and Halilu

We are suggesting that enough funds should be made available to undertake the multilocational trials in
2019.

Approved

7.

Sorghum Seed Production

Aba, Yeye and Halilu

Continue to maintain and increase the breeder’s seeds of IAR released varieties that are on demand
which include SAMSORG 14, SAMSORG 17, SAMSORG 40, SAMSORG 41, SAMSORG 42, SAMSORG 43,
SAMSORG 44, SAMSORG 45, SAMSORG 46, CSR 01 and CSR 02.

Approved Halilu to be replaced – HOD should be contacted

8.

Productivity of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolour (L) Moench) as influenced by Types and Rates of Biochar.

Ishaya, Amapu, Shebayan and Tunku

The trial should be approved to continue next wet season.

Approved to continue
9.

Effects of cow dung and inorganic nitrogen on growth, grain yield and grain malting qualities of two
Sorghum varieties.

Goma, Labe, Mani, and Tunku

The problem has been reported to the Department to wave off the chemical component of the work
since the viability of the grain was lost and the seed could not be germinated again.

Approved

10.

Effect of stand configuration and nitrogen rate on short Kaura sorghum productivity.

Labe, Goma, Adamu and O.O. Ugbabe

The trial is to continue in 2019

Approved to continue

11.

Stem borer resistance to Sorghum as influenced by sowing date and nitrogen rate.
Labe, Yeye, Aba and Adamu

The trial is to continue in 2019 with the hope that the challenge of the bird attack will be subdued or
prevented.

Approved to continue

ON-GOING PROJECTS (Maize)

12.

Maintenance of Maize germplasm

Oyekunle, Ado, Usman, Abdullahi and Hussaini

The project should continue as new materials are received and developed.

Approved

13.
Introgression of quality protein (QPM) gene into normal Maize germplasm

Oyekunle, Ado, Usman, Abdullahi and Hussaini.

As new products are developed and released, introgression of quality protein (QPM) gene into normal
maize germplasm is highly desirable. Hydrization and selection are continuous breeding activities that
should be allowed to continue.

Approved

14.

Development of Drought and Flood Tolerant Maize Germplasm

Oyekunle, Ado, Abdullahi and Usman

The development of new maize varieties and hybrids that tolerate multiple stresses is an important
project.

Approved

15.

Development of Striga resistant maize germplasm

Oyekunle, Ado, Usman, Abdullahi Hussaini

Adekpe

Development of maize germplasm resistance to Striga infestation is an important breeding program that
should be allowed to continue.

Approved

16.

Evaluation of improved Maize germplasm in multi-locations

Oyekunle, Ado, Mani and Abdullahi

Performance evaluation of promising open-pollinated varieties and hybrids Maize at multi-location is a

necessary step in development of new crop varieties/hybrids. We suggest the projects should be
allowed to continue.

Approved

17.

Evaluation of orange Maize varieties and ybrids selected for high pro-vitamin A concentration in multi-
locations
Oyekunle, Usman, Ado, Halilu, Abdullahi, Mani, Hussaini and Abdulsalam

Continue evaluation of provitamin A germplasm in multi-locations to identify more promising genotypes

for release should be allowed to continue

Approved Halilu to e replaced by PL into the HOD for this replacement

18.

Evaluation of improved

Maize germplasm of private seed companies in multi-locations

Oyekunle, Ado, Mani, Usman, and Abdullahi

Performance evaluation of promising Maize hybrids at multi-location is a necessary step in development

of new crop varieties/hybrids. We suggest the project should be allowed to continue subject to the
availability of new germplasm and funds from the companies.

Approved if the company come officially

19.

Breeder Seed Production of

Released IAR Maize Germplasm

Oyekunle, Ado, Usman, Abdullahi and Hussaini.

Breeder seed production is an essential component of the variety improvement and it is the interface
between research and deployment of research output. As new hybrids and varieties are being released,
the project should therefore be allowed to continue.

Approved breeding to specify the varieties multiplied & the one(s) for subsequent year

20.

Development Of Drought

And Striga Resistance Maize

Inbred Lines Using Pedigree

Breeding Method

Oyekunle, Ado and Hassan

Development of drought and Striga resistance as well as nutritional quality Maize inbred lines should be
allowed to continue

Approved HOD Agronomy to

21.

Inheritance Of Resistance To Exserohilum Turcicum Leaf Blight In Maize

Oyekunle, Abdulkarim (M.Sc. student), M. Yusuf, and M.D.Katung

The preliminary results need to be validated. Therefore, the study on inheritance of resistance to
turcicum leaf blight in Maize should be allowed to continue

Write the status of the work Approved to continue

22.

Effects of organic manures and inorganic Phosphorus fertilizer on the productivity of Maize in the
northern Guinea savanna

Goma, Labe and Babaji

The trial is to continue in 2018/2019 cropping season.

Approved to continue

23.

Evaluation of Seed Treatment and Time of Foliar Insecticide Spray for the Management of Maize Stem
Borer (Busseola fusca Fuller)

Utono and Adamu

Having done the trial successfully for the first time, one more year should be allowed in order to have a
consistent and reliable result.

Approved to continue

24

Nitrogen rate and its split applications with and without basal organic manure in maize.

Title should be relisted

Labe, Goma, Adamu and Ugbabe

The trial is to continue in 2019

Approved to continue

25.

Ecology of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPNs) and their potentials for use as biological control agents
of insect pests of Maize (Busseola fusca and Spodoptera frugiperda) in North Western Nigeria
Okolo, Chindo, Bulus and Adamu

In 2019, soil samples will be collected around Samaru farm fields, others parts of Kaduna and Kano. This
is to have varied collections of EPN samples. Next, identification of the collected samples will be carried
prior to bioassay of these juveniles on insect pest larvae. This will continue until strains that offer
effective biocontrol actions against these pests are established.

Approved to continue

26.

Sero-detection and distribution of Maize lethal necrosis disease-inducing viruses on Maize (Zea mays L.)
and their weed hosts in Kaduna and Kano states, Nigeria

Kashina, Bello, (M.Sc. student), Banwo, and Alegbejo

Work on the project should be approved to continue in 2019

Approved to continue

28.
Biocology and Management of an invasive pest, the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)
Lepidoptera: Noctuidoe) in Suthern Nigeria

Adamu, Inusa (PG Student) Utono and Mani

Work should continue, since this was the first season of the trial, more seasons data are required to
validate the findings. The survey of the fall army would be carried out during 2019 rainy season.

Approved

8.

Evaluation of plant arrangement in the push-pull habitat manipulation for the Management of maize
stem borer Busseola fusca (Fuller).

Adamu, Utono, Mani and Abdulsalam

Work should continue for at least one season to further validate the findings;

Approved

29

Sowing date and nitrogen for irrigated foxtail millet in Nigeria.

Labe, Goma, Mahadi, Luka and Hussaini

The trial is to be suspended pending when viable seed will be obtained

Approved for suspension

B.

NEW RESEARCH PROPOSALS

30.

Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.) varieties as influenced by fertilizer rates and plant densities

Mani, Oyekunle, Usman Abdulmalik and Abdullahi

PL make copies for the committee for their correction & inputs
31.

Effect of Time of foliar insecticide application on Fall Armyworm (Spodeptera frugiperda (Smith)
(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) infestation and maize yield in Samaru

Utono, I.M. and Adamu, R.S.

PL make copies for the committee for their correction & inputs

32.

Evaluation of pre- and post-emergence herbicides for season-long weed management in upland rice.

J. A. Y. Shebayan, D. B. Ishaya, M. Mahadi and R. S. Adamu

PL make copies for the committee for their correction & inputs

33.
Evaluation of the performance of Gero Millet in the Dauro Millet growing areas of the northern Guinea
savanna agro-ecology.

J. A. Y. Shebayan, D. A. Labe, M. Mahadi and R. S. Adamu

PL make copies for the committee for their correction & inputs

34.

Effect of Weed Control and NPK Fertilization on the Performance of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana (L.)
Gaertn.) in the Nigerian Savanna

L. Musa, S. A. Dadari, B. A. Babaji.

PL make copies for the committee for their correction & inputs

CEREALS RESEARCH PROGRAMME

RESEARCH TITLES BEING CONDUCTED IN 2020/2021

Sorghum Sub-Programme

Sorghum Germplasm evaluation and characterization (Dwarf)

Evaluation and characterization of Sorghum germplasm for Striga reaction

Germplasm evaluation and characterization of Dual-purpose Sorghum

Evaluation and characterization of Sorghum germplasm for Bold grain

Germplasm evaluation and characterization of Hybrid Sorghum

Germplasm evaluation and characterization of Regional Commercial Sorghum Hybrids

Germplasm evaluation and characterization of Advance Sorghum hybrids

Evaluation and characterization of Regional Multipurpose Sweet Sorghum germplasm

Germplasm evaluation and characterization of Advance Dual purpose Sorghum varieties

Evaluation and characterization of Advance multi-traits Sorghum population (F3)

Germplasm evaluation and characterization of F3 Sorghum for Fodder, Fe and Zn & tester free.

Evaluation and characterization of Sorghum Hybrid for sterility identification and Hybrid for fertility
restoration.

Evaluation and characterization of Crosses of drought tolerant Sorghum.

Evaluation and characterization of AxB maintenance Sorghum lines

Evaluation and characterization of F1 crosses for stem borers resistance

Evaluation and characterization of Advance Sorghum population for stem borer resistance.

Popularization of medium and late maturing Sorghum varieties through demonstration

Evaluation and characterization of 54 entries of F3 drought crosses Sorghum population

Preliminary germplasm evaluation and characterization at Minjibi

Breeders Seed production of seven (7) IAR released Sorghum varieties and nine (9) Sweet Sorghum
varieties at Samaru

Screening and Development of Striga hermonthica resistant lines by introgression in Sorghum at Samaru

Sorghum hybrid development and evaluation at Samaru

Genetic grain studies of IAR released Sorghum varieties at Samaru

Screening for Stem borer resistance as influenced by sowing date and nitrogen rate

Validation of Maximum Yield Potential of Some IAR Released early, medium and late maturing Sorghum
varieties in three agro-ecological zones of Nigeria

Maize Sub-Programme

Maize Germplasm Maintenance at Samaru and Kwakwarar Manu

Development of quality protein Maize (QPM), draught and Striga resistant Maize inbred lines using
pedigree breeding method at Samaru & Kadawa

Development of drought tolerant and Striga resistant maize Germplasm at Samaru & Mokwa

Multi Location evaluation of improved Maize germplasm

Growth and Yield Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to inorganic phosphorous fertilizer and Poultry
manure rates in the Northern Guinea Savanna ecological zone

Effects of Inorganic Phosphorous fertilizer and Farm Yard Manure (FYM) rates on the productivity of
maize (Zea mays L.) in the Northern Guinea Savanna ecological zone

Validation of Maximum Yield Potential of Some IAR Released early, medium and late maturing Maize
varieties in three agro-ecological zones of Nigeria
Productivity of sole Maize under optimum fertilization and moisture conservation in the Northern
Guinea Savanna (NGS)

Evaluation of insecticides for Fall armyworm management

Production of TELA Maize breeder and foundation Seeds

On-farm evaluation of TELA Maize hybrids

Popularization of twelve (12) maize varieties through demonstration at Samaru

Evaluation of Preplanting Vichaka Herbicides Rate for Weed control on Maize (Zea mays L.) in Northern
Guinea Savanna of Nigeria at Samaru & Saminaka

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Institute for Agricultural Research,

Ahmadu Bello University,

P.M.B 1044

Zaria.

Tell: (+234) 07064218559,

07050589801

Email: info@iar.gov.ng

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About
The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Samaru was established in 1922 as the research division of
the Department of Agriculture for the defunct Northern region of Nigeria. IAR was formally transferred
by law to the later established Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) on October 14,1962.

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