The winter cereals programme is made up of wheat, potato and rice. Research agenda for each crop is led by a research officer. Current breeding objectives for wheat are high tillering and yielding ability, leaf and stem rust resistance, semi-dwarf varieties (<0.95m tall), resistance to sprouting, early maturity (<140 days) and wide adaptation. CIMMYT is another major collaborator with the wheat breeding programme. The potato programme seeks to develop oblong, large sized tubers with shallow eyes for table potato, develop varieties with high dry matter content, medium sized tubers which are yellow fleshed for the crisping industry and high yielding varieties which are resistant to insects and diseases (late and early blight, common and powdery scab) for farmers. The potato programme interacts with the potato industry more frequently.
WHEAT VARIETIES
a) Variety Kana
- Good yield: 6.8 t/ha in the highveld; 5.4 t/ha in the middleveld and 4.2 t/ha in the lowveld
- Maturity: 132 days (Highveld) and 104 days (lowveld)
- High disease resistance (leaf rust, powdery mildew)
- Good milling and baking qualities
- Suitable for production under irrigation in all wheat growing areas
- Developed & released in year 2000
b) Variety Dande
- High yielding variety: 7.8 t/ha in the highveld, 6.4 t/ha in the middle veld and 4.6 t/ha in the lowveld.
- Maturity: 138 days (Highveld) and 108 days (lowveld)
- Moderate Disease resistance (leaf rust, powdery mildew)
- Good milling and baking qualities
- Suitable for production under irrigation in all wheat growing areas
- Dande was released in year 2002
- Semi-dwarf variety with good standability
POTATO VARIETIES
a) Amethyst
A Winner!
A consistent high yielder in all regions of the country!
Maturity: Late maturing variety (17 –19 weeks)
Tuber Yield: High yielder, 30 t/ha to 60 t/ha depending on time of the year (season)
Disease Tolerance: High level of tolerance to late blight
a)Diamond
A New Variety on the Market
- Early maturity
- High yield
- Excellent tuber distribution
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Maturity: Medium to early maturing (14-15 weeks) - A saving on irrigation water and electricity!
Tuber Yield: Can yield up to 50 t/ha when it is an irrigated crop
Disease Tolerance: Moderate tolerance to late blight, but susceptible to early blight in the field - needs protection
RICE VARIETIES
A new rice variety for upland cultivation in Zimbabwe
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- Good Yield: 2500 kg/ha to 4000 kg/ha in the high and low veld under irrigation.
- Early maturing: 95-105 days (fits well in a growing season)
- Aromatic
- Resistant to diseases (rice blast, brown spot)
a) NERICA 3A new rice variety for upland cultivation in Zimbabwe
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- High Yield: 3500 kg/ha to 5000 kg/ha in the high and low veld under irrigation.
- Maturity: 105-120 days.
- Long grain rice and large seeded (30g/1000seeds)
- Resistant to diseases (rice blast, brown spot)
- Good milling % (71%) and cooking quality.
Combines:
- Early maturity
- High yield
- Excellent tuber distribution.