The highland regions in Kenya are due to expect short rains in October. It may be El Nino or the normal short rains but it’s not guaranteed.
Most farmers always consider the high-yielding varieties that often require long rains to maturity.
Planting these 8 varieties that are drought resistant and require little rainfall prevents total crop failure in rainfed farms.
The best maize variety to plant in Kenya in October’s short rains
- Haraka WH 101
- SC Sungura 301
- SC Duma 419
- Sc Duma 43
- H520
- H516
- H513
- Pannar 4M-19
Why you should plant these varieties?
Read Also; How to get over 44 bags of maize from an acre
Haraka WH101
It’s a low-altitude variety suitable for regions with a rainfall regime of 2.5-3 months.
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 is an ultra-early heat and drought-resistant maize variety.
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
Good agricultural practices must be maintained all through for high yields. All the varieties do well in fertile well-drained soils.
Early planting will help farmers evade the effects of El Nino such as flooding if at all it will rains.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Planting long-rains varieties means will be harvested in February. This means the chances of failure are high.
This rainy season goes for drought-resistant varieties like SC Sungura 301, Haraka WH101, SC Duma 43, SC Duma 419, H520, H516, H513 and Pannar 4M-19.
However, if you have water for irrigation you can plant H6213, H614, H628, Pioneer, DKC 9089, and DKC 8033.
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