- The WE 2109 is a white flint maize with good drought tolerance and high disease resistance.
- It is a double-cob variety ideal for both fresh and dried grain harvest.
- It has a maturity of 90 days for green maize and 142 days for grain maize.
- Under good management, it can yield 20-41 bags per acre.
The brilliant performance of RS 5101 (WE 2109) from Royal Seeds in extreme drought conditions and highland areas has set it apart from other varieties on the market.
These WE (Water Efficient) hybrid drought-tolerant maize varieties developed under the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) project have given farmers renewed hope in maize farming.
RS 5101 (WE 2109) in particular has proven to grow rapidly and remain green with just one or two rains.
Consider this: without a backup irrigation system and minimal fertiliser, RS 5101 has produced double cobs per maize stalk.
Additionally, it’s not heavily infested by fall armyworm, which reduces pesticide requirements and lowers production costs.
What is Rs 5101 Maize Variety
RS 5101 is a white flint maize with good drought tolerance and high disease resistance. It is a double-cob variety ideal for both fresh and dried grain harvest.
It has a maturity of 90 days for green maize and 142 days for grain maize. Under good management, it can yield 20-35 bags per acre.
Though it is a drought-resistant variety, RS 5101 has outperformed most varieties when grown in highland areas, yielding more per acre than high-altitude varieties that struggle with changing weather conditions.
Research from WEMA projects has shown that WE varieties can yield 20-30% more than conventional drought-resistant varieties.
Mr Kinyanjui, a maize farmer from Kiambu, recounts how he planted RS 5101 and harvested double cobs while keeping the stalks green, despite receiving only one rainfall event.
Also Read: How to manage your maize for super high yield
In his own words: “At first, I doubted whether it would grow. When you gave me the seeds, the others planted earlier were knee-high. To my surprise, despite receiving only one rainfall, it grew, produced double cobs, and the stalk remained fully green.”
Another similar variety is Tsavo WE 4141. Tsavo WE 4141 has traits similar to those of RS 5101.
The development of new drought and disease-resistant varieties is a major boost for maize farmers aiming to monetise their farming.
