Conduct and management of maize field trials

Technicians and technologists are indispensable research support personnel. In the agronomic sciences, technicians handle all aspects of research execution from seed preparation for planting through management of field trials, data collection, harvesting, postharvest operations, and data analysis. One of the major constraints to maize research and development in west and central Africa (WCA) is the inadequate number of well-trained and skilled research support staff. This situation often leads to erroneous field designs and data collection, spurious results, and the wasteful spending of research funds. Over the years, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has conducted training courses and workshops for maize researchers in WCA. The training courses and workshops have been of immense benefit to the participants, as reflected in the research output of both the technicians and the scientists in the subregion. Unfortunately, the number of participants in each training course or workshop and the total number trained over the years are still a far cry from the number needed to make a comfortable impact on maize research in all countries of the subregion. In response to this perceived need, IITA has embarked on the publication of a series of books documenting the materials covered in the many years of experience in the execution of training courses and workshops. Conduct and Management of Maize Field Trials is one in the series. The objective is to provide resource material for the training courses organized by IITA under the sponsorship of the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) Project. Training courses were designed to upgrade the technical capabilities and skills of maize research technicians and scientists involved in the laying out, planting, and management of field trials, accurate data recording, as well as the production and maintenance of open-pollinated varieties, inbred lines, and hybrids. Each section was handled by expert maize researchers drawn from international and national organizations and universities. The book brings together the experience of maize scientists in a form that can be used by budding researchers, teachers, and students specializing in maize research and development. IITA is pleased to publish this book on a very important topic in maize research, which has been grossly neglected in the literature.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Badu-Apraku, B., Fakorede, M.A.B., Menkir, A., Sanogo, D.
Language:	English
Published:	CIMMYT 2012
Subjects:	AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, MAIZE, SEED TESTING, QUALITY, GRAIN CROPS, SEED CERTIFICATION, VARIETIES, SEED INDUSTRY,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/10883/1376
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