Agronomic performance of landrace and certified seeds of maize in West Timor, Indonesia

Although landrace maize in West Timor has lower yield than open pollinated maize varieties it has agronomic characteristics which can be explored to increase yield. Maize is a staple food and the main crop in subsistence dry-land farming systems in West Timor, Indonesia. Whilst annual rainfall averages between 600 and 2000 mm, maize yields in the province average a little over 2 t/ha whilst research indicates that yields >4 t/ha are achievable with improved varieties, agronomy and nutrition. An issue that contributes to poor yield is the variable quality of seed used for sowing. Three landrace populations (local A, B and C) and two open pollinated varieties (Piet Kuning and Lamuru) were grown in the villages of Benlutu and Mnelalete in the province of East Nusa Tenggara (ENT), Indonesia. Trials employed a split plot design with three replications. This study demonstrated wider variability of agronomic performance of landrace maize with regard to seedling emergence, plant and ear height, and yield than certified improved open pollinated varieties. These results flag issues of seedling viability and genetic variability within landrace populations which will be investigated in future research designed to improve crop yields and the food security of the subsistence farming community.