8 Short season maize varieties, typically 3 months

Farmers have poor harvests every year because they planted the wrong varieties in their regions. If you have never grown a new variety before, isolate a small portion of land and observe how it grows into full production.  When you are certain that the variety will thrive in your area. This eliminates the risk of planting new varieties without fully understanding their performance.

Every year, many farmers plant the incorrect maize seed varieties, resulting in low yields due to a lack of accurate information. The problem is exacerbated in part by seed companies' persistent advertising and promotion of specific maize seed varieties. Another issue is that farmers frequently request the best maize varieties from local agrovet shops. 
 

This strategy is ineffective because seed retailers will always recommend any variety, especially one that is out of stock.

Farmers should therefore exercise extreme caution when selecting maize seed varieties to plant. The seeds are developed based on altitude, rainfall, soil type, temperature, and other climatic conditions. Researchers have developed seed varieties that perform well in each climatic region to meet the needs of farmers in those regions. Farmers must therefore purchase seeds that will thrive in their specific geographical area. Before purchasing maize seed, farmers should seek advice from extension officers, agricultural or research institutions.

Farmers should isolate a small portion of land, plant the variety, and observe its characteristics before adopting any new seed variety. Check for lodging (falling due to wind), if the ears open early before maturity, allowing water and rotting, yield, and any other negative characteristics. When you've determined that the variety is satisfactory, you can move on to large-scale production. We offer this advice to warn farmers against purchasing new seed varieties (which may not have the desired qualities) as seed companies or seed stockists may claim.

It is critical to manage maize properly throughout the production stages. Low maize yields can be caused by low soil fertility, acidity, late land preparation and planting, poor weeding, and even incorrect planting methods. Farmers are encouraged to grow maize varieties that thrive in their agro-ecological regions, as depicted on the map.
 

 

If you are a maize farmer in Kenya, you understand how critical it is to select the appropriate maize varieties for your climate. In general, you'll want something that can withstand the country's volatile weather patterns. Growing short season maize varieties is one such solution that has gained popularity in recent years.

In this article, we'll look at the various short-term maize varieties available in Kenya, as well as their yields, disease tolerance, and other characteristics.

We'll go over everything you need to know to figure out which early maturing maize variety is best for your farm.

Kenyan maize varieties for the short season

Because Kenya has over three dozen early maturing maize varieties, we'll start with those that mature in three months (or less) before moving on to those that take four months.

Maize seeds after 3 months

In Kenya, three-month maize seeds are available:

• SC Sungura 301
• DH01
• DH02
• DH04
• Pwani Hybrids (PH 1 and PH 4)
• Sawa
• Katumani varieties (KDV 1, KDV 4, KDV 6, Katumani Composite B, DLC 1, and KCB)

Haraka WH101

This is yet another variety created by Western Seed Co Ltd.
 It is appropriate for wet and dry mid-altitude regions with a rainfall regime of 2 to 2 12 months.

Haraka WH301 maize seeds typically mature within 105 to 120 days of planting.

This cultivar is also resistant to Maize Streak Virus (MSV), Grey Leaf Spot (GLS), blight, drought, and low nitrogen levels.

Nonetheless, the Haraka WH301 maize variety produces 20 to 25 bags (90kg bags) per acre per season.

Something else: it produces sweet, heavy grains with weevil-free flint, making the variety ideal for roasting.

DH04 hybrid maize cultivar

This is yet another Kenya Seed Co Ltd product suitable for regions ranging from 800 to 1,720 meters above sea level.

This variety produces short, drought-tolerant maize stalks.

The DH04 maize variety requires 75-100 days from planting to reach full maturity.

The DH04 hybrid maize variety yields up to 24 bags (90kg bags) of maize per acre per season.

This is a significant improvement over the DH01 and DH02 varieties.

Seeds of PH 1 hybrid maize

This variety is part of Kenya Seed Co Ltd's Pwani Hybrids breed. This is due to its suitability for lowland regions (altitudes ranging from 1 to 1,200 meters above sea level).

However, the variety will thrive in other areas as long as it is not subjected to excessive rainfall.

In other words, because this breed is drought and heat resistant, it is ideal for dry seasons.

In terms of maturation, the PH 1 maize variety takes 70 to 100 days to fully mature.

This variety has the advantage of being intercropped with other crops.

Finally, the PH 1 maize variety produces up to 20 bags of maize per acre in a season.
 

Haraka WH101 Product Characteristics Details

• Yields Per acre (90 kg bag): 20 – 25 bags per acre, Under good agronomy practices.
• Maturity: 3.5 – 4 months (105 – 120 days).
• Good tolerance to MSV, GLS and blight. Tolerant to drought and low nitrogen.
• Features Flint weevil-free, sweet grain, excellent for roasting and heavy grains.

SC Sungura 301

It's an ultra-early maturing maize variety made and sold by SeedCo Kenya (it's one of Kenya's fastest maturing varieties). Within 72 to 80 days of planting, the maize matures (and is, of course, ready for harvest).

SC Sungura 301 is resistant to harsh weather conditions such as drought, heat, and precipitation, making it suitable for use in various parts of Kenya. To top it all off, Sungura hybrid maize maintains a season yield of 25 to 30 bags (90kg bags) of maize per acre (every 80 days).

SC Sungura 301 Product Characteristics Details

• Ultra early 75-85 days to maturity
• Excellent alternative for Sungura and millet cropping
• Wide regional adaptation
• Semi-flint grain texture with good tip cover
• Good standability of up to 72,000 plants/ha
• Yield 25-30 bags (90kg) per acre

SC Duma 419

Sc Dum 419 is an early maturing crop

Product Characteristics Details

• Very early maturing white hybrid
• Excellent drought tolerance
• Excellent maize streak tolerance
• Semi-flint grained hybrid
• Good Grey Leaf Spot tolerance
• Yield 32-38 bags (90kg) per acre

SC Duma 43

Product Characteristics Details

• 85-90 days to physiological maturity
• Yield 30-40 bags (90kg) per acre

H520

Early maturing variety of 120-150 days and a yield of 90kg 34 bags per acre.

Product Characteristics Details

• Double cobbing variety
• Very sweet tasting
• Prolific semi dent
• GLS and MSV-tolerant

H516

Early maturing variety of 120-150 days and a yield of 28 bags per acre.

Product Characteristics Details

• Medium to highland variety
• Very sweet tasting
• Resistant to blight rust and lodging

H513

A super early maturity variety of 110-120 days with a yield of 90kg-24 bags per acre.

Product Characteristics Details

• Medium Variety
• Very sweet tasting
• Good standability

PANNAR 4M-19

Early maturity white cultivar. Good tolerance to drought conditions and leaf diseases. Fill your grain storage bins early.

Product Characteristics Details

• Flinty, Hard grain (excellent pound ability, tolerance to weevils)
• Early maturing white cultivar
• Widely adaptable and good drought tolerance
• Good leaf disease tolerance including Grey Leaf Spot and Maize Streak Virus
• Good green maize performs well under irrigation
• Days to maturity: 100-110 days

For high yields, good agricultural practices must be maintained throughout. All of the varieties thrive in fertile, well-drained soil.

Early planting will assist farmers in avoiding the effects of El Nino, such as flooding, if it rains at all.