Hybrids are maize varieties in which the seed is produced by crossing two different parent lines, increasing the yield through heterosis. In hybrid maize seed production, the pollen-producing tassel must be removed on female parent plants to avoid self-pollination. If detasselling is not done in a timely and accurate way, pollen from the female plants can pollinate the ears, causing contamination and reduced seed quality. Currently, African seed production actors prevent self-fertilization during certified seed production by manual detasselling. This process requires considerable time and labor and reduces seed yield potential of the detasselled seed-bearing plants (female plants).

objectives of the project are to:

• Improve the grain yield potential of stress tolerant maize hybrids in low fertility environments.
• Develop a new hybrid production platform capable of producing sufficient early generation seed to support production of high-quality certified seed each year.
• Simplify hybrid maize seed production in sub-Saharan Africa.