The role of GIS in the development and targeting of maize germplasm to farmers in West and Central Africa

Maize (Zea mays L) is cultivated under a broad range of climatic conditions in West and Central Africa (WCA). For the purpose of germplasm evaluation, maize researchers in the subregion loosely stratified the diverse environments into four agroecological zones based on their knowledge and experience...

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Autor principal: Menkir, A.
Formato: Conference Paper
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2003
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/98006
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author Menkir, A.
author_browse Menkir, A.
author_facet Menkir, A.
author_sort Menkir, A.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Maize (Zea mays L) is cultivated under a broad range of climatic conditions in West and Central Africa (WCA). For the purpose of germplasm evaluation, maize researchers in the subregion loosely stratified the diverse environments into four agroecological zones based on their knowledge and experience rather than on quantitative studies involving climatic data. Recent advances in the development of digital spatial databases and geographic information systems (GIS) have provided unprecedented opportunities to use agroclimatic attributes to describe a geographical area. We used GIS to analyze long-term data collected on seven climatic variables relevant to maize production. Our objective was to refine the stratification of the region into well-defined agroecologic zones. As a test case, IITA's international maize trials databases involving 114 locations in sub-Saharan Africa were linked with the GIS-based classification of maize agroecological zones. GIS accurately separated the locations into four distinct zones; namely, midaltitude, rainforest, moist savanna, and dry savanna, respectively. The new stratification scheme provides a robust representation of the geographic distribution of the maize agroecologic zones in WCA. This stratification should greatly aid researchers in assessing research priorities and resource allocation for germplasm development, evaluation, and deployment.
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spelling CGSpace980062023-06-08T19:25:11Z The role of GIS in the development and targeting of maize germplasm to farmers in West and Central Africa Menkir, A. gis maize germplasm Maize (Zea mays L) is cultivated under a broad range of climatic conditions in West and Central Africa (WCA). For the purpose of germplasm evaluation, maize researchers in the subregion loosely stratified the diverse environments into four agroecological zones based on their knowledge and experience rather than on quantitative studies involving climatic data. Recent advances in the development of digital spatial databases and geographic information systems (GIS) have provided unprecedented opportunities to use agroclimatic attributes to describe a geographical area. We used GIS to analyze long-term data collected on seven climatic variables relevant to maize production. Our objective was to refine the stratification of the region into well-defined agroecologic zones. As a test case, IITA's international maize trials databases involving 114 locations in sub-Saharan Africa were linked with the GIS-based classification of maize agroecological zones. GIS accurately separated the locations into four distinct zones; namely, midaltitude, rainforest, moist savanna, and dry savanna, respectively. The new stratification scheme provides a robust representation of the geographic distribution of the maize agroecologic zones in WCA. This stratification should greatly aid researchers in assessing research priorities and resource allocation for germplasm development, evaluation, and deployment. 2003 2018-11-14T06:51:38Z 2018-11-14T06:51:38Z Conference Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/98006 en Limited Access Menkir, A. (2003). The role of GIS in the development and targeting of maize germplasm to farmers' needs in West and Central Africa. Maize revolution in West and Central Africa. Cotonou, Benin Republic. 14-18 May 2001: WECAMAN, (p.16-30).
spellingShingle gis
maize
germplasm
Menkir, A.
The role of GIS in the development and targeting of maize germplasm to farmers in West and Central Africa
title The role of GIS in the development and targeting of maize germplasm to farmers in West and Central Africa
title_full The role of GIS in the development and targeting of maize germplasm to farmers in West and Central Africa
title_fullStr The role of GIS in the development and targeting of maize germplasm to farmers in West and Central Africa
title_full_unstemmed The role of GIS in the development and targeting of maize germplasm to farmers in West and Central Africa
title_short The role of GIS in the development and targeting of maize germplasm to farmers in West and Central Africa
title_sort role of gis in the development and targeting of maize germplasm to farmers in west and central africa
topic gis
maize
germplasm
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/98006
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