TAMNET will conduct several activities as follows:

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1 A. SUMMARY Title: Strengthening hybrid maize research activities in the Asian Region through Tropical Asian Maize Network (TAMNET). Duration: 3-5 years Objectives: The overall objective is to promote and strengthen hybrid maize technology in the Asian region through germplasm exchange, dissemination of information, training and periodic meetings and workshops. Activities: TAMNET will conduct several activities as follows: The first activity will involve coordination of TAMNET hybrid trials comprising of early and late yellow hybrids contributed by different NARs, CIMMYT and private sector. The trials are usually conducted at 30+ sites. At some later stage a white hybrid trial may also be added. Inbred line evaluation nurseries for building-up tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses and for developing stress-tolerant hybrids. Distribution of S3 selfed progeny bulks to accelerate inbred line development efforts in the region and to exchange germplasm. Refresher courses on hybrid maize technology and seed production. Periodic announcement of maize inbred lines from CIMMYT. Publication of TAMNET Newsletter 2 issues per year on important themes, technical notes, results of trials and some general information of interest. Area: Genetic Resource Management and Biotechnology (GRM) Region: Asia and pacific B. STAKEHOLDERS 1. Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries of this network will be NARs, small and large indigenous seed companies, multinationals, non-governmental organizations (NGO s) as well as small and large farmers growing maize on approximately 38.5 m hectares. The availability of hybrids will help farmers to switch from OPVs to hybrids. This in turn is expected to boost production to meet growing demand. 2. Research partners: NARs, indigenous/local seed companies, CIMMYT, FAO, APSA and multinational. 3. Donors and budget: Technical assistance: Outside financial assistance: To be provided by CIMMYT, FAO and APSA Funds needed for operation of network, newsletter, training courses and monitoring of trials etc.

2 (60,000 US$ per year). Testing sites: NARs will provide testing sites for stress and non-stress environments. PROJECT RESULTS AND IMPACT From various on-going TAMNET activities the results will be distributed in the follow ing manner as it has been done in the past. 1. TAMNET Hybrid Trials: At least two TAMNET hybrid trials are planned for the ensuing years. One trial will consist of early maturing yellow hybrids and the other with late maturing yellow hybrids. The team leader of CIMMYT-ARMP will serve as technical coordinator for various germplasm development testing activities including TAMNET hybrid trials. Each trial will consist of 25 entries contributed by NARs, CIMMYT, local seed companies and the multinationals. The trials will be distributed to +30 sites in different countries including some at private sector farms. The data retrieved will be processed by CIMMYT-ARMP staff and a report prepared and distributed to all participating countries and the private sector institutions. The report lists summary of each trial as well as combined data from all the locations. A summary table of selected entries from 1997 trials is presented as an example. The results are also published in TAMNET newsletter and sometimes in APAARI newsletter and in Asia- Pacific seed magazine. Performance of tropical early and late TAMNET hybrid trials Hybrid Regional testing Typ e Pedigree Origin Yield (t/ha) Rel to Check (%) Earl y Late PSC KTXE 3904 PSC 002 LVN 17 (TX) BM(SD) KSXE , 31x32 G 5445 A SW 3601 KSX 3905 SW 3701 KSX 3902 STJ 9614 KTX 3503 Proagro, India Proagro, India Vietnam CIMMYT, Thailand Local Check Ciba-Geigy, Thailand (regional Check 1) Indonesia Rank Inbred Line Evaluation Nurseries: This initiative has already been initiated and will continue in coming years on regular basis. Some of the trials will be planted and evaluated for general agronomic performance and others for specific diseases and insects. Indicated below are trials that were distributed last year. Inbred line evaluation nurseries Trials No. Name Entries No. of Locations LET (W) E Evaluation early white lines 36 2*

3 LET (Y) E Evaluation early yellow lines LET (W) 1 Evaluation intermediate maturity white 36 2* lines LET (Y) 1 Evaluation intermediate maturity yellow 49 2* lines LET (W) L Evaluation late maturity white lines LET (Y) L Evaluation late maturity yellow lines * A few locations because of limited seed quantities. These nurseries mostly will comprise germplasm that has been generated by CIMMYT- ARMP plus a few entries from the NARs. Private sector does not contribute entries but are willing to evaluate trials. The results as usual will be distributed through special trials report(s), TAMNET newsletter, AMBIONET newsletter, APAARI newsletter and APSA seed magazine. 3. Distribution of Selfed Progeny Bulks: Perhaps it is a most useful strategy in a hybrid maize technology which is cost-effective, efficient and has a multiplier effect. In addition it aids in accelerating inbred line development efforts and will in the long run help to develop a plan of cooperation and exchange of inbred lines as well as developing appropriate pedigree populations which have a great chance of extracting superior lines in a high frequency. Selfing by NARs in these selfed bulks will generate S4 generation lines thus saving 3 seasons/years work in addition to accelerating inbred line development efforts by NARs. As part of this strategy, CIMMYT-ARMP announced 30 S3 bulks. The response has been excellent as judged by comments received from the public and private sector. This activity will be further systematized and strengthened to aid hybrid maize breeding efforts in the region. 4. Periodic Announcement of Maize Inbred Lines: Inbred lines performing well in hybrid combinations will be announced as soon as possible for distribution and use by public and private sector breeders. This year we hope to announce at least 20 lines from different source maize populations. 5. Maize Training Courses: At least two training courses will be conducted each year. The courses could be on various aspects of hybrid maize technology, stress-tolerance/breeding and on seed production aspects. Table list courses that have been conducted in recent years. Maize Training Courses Country Location Dates No. of Participants India China Nepal Philippines Thailand Hyderabad Beijing Rampur Mindanao Tak Fa March 3-7, 1997 September 8-12, 1997 November 24-28, 1997 September 28-October 1998 October 5-9, The courses are jointly organized and attended by researchers. 6. TAMNET Newsletter In publishing newsletter, everyone s help is sought to provide information. The papers/notes/information is carefully scrutinized before it is published. C. PARTNERSHIP

4 As pointed out earlier different public and private organizations including international organizations such as FAO and CIMMYT will be involved in this network. Each institution/organization will be contributing in most instances in more than one way. Below I am providing a brief role of each and every player of this network. 1. NARs: NARs plays an exceedingly important role in the network. Since this network is a result of their own initiative, each country tries to cooperate and provides necessary logistical assistance within its means. The entries that make up the trials are contributed by each national program. The number, of course, may vary from one country to another. Another very important contribution of the NARs is to provide testing sites for various types of trials under stress and non-stress environments. The actual conduct of trials, collection of data etc. is all done by the NARs. Other than breeder if any help is needed from other discipline like pathology and entomology, it is arranged by the national coordinator. Researchers from some NARs are also performing voluntarily the job of editor and associate editor TAMNET newsletter. NARs scientists also contribute articles of considerable interest and also exchange germplams on mutual basis. 2. Private Sector: The local and multinationals are involved. They do contribute entries for testing in the trials and also in some cases provide testing sites for conducting different types of trials. Researchers from private sector also serve resource persons for some specific lectures in the maize training courses. Also in the past we have received some financial assistance to support meals for the group, provide travel assistance to some participants and some fee for each entry tested in hybrid trials. 3. International Organization FAO: FAO has been quite supportive of this network and has provided assistance in numerous ways for successful implementation of various activities going on as part of TAMNET. FAO has been extremely generous to meet full cost of TAMNET newsletter and bear expenses of a few participants attending the annual meeting. FAO representation aids in a big way for incoming and outgoing seed through FAO pouch. FAO also publishes the minutes of the annual meeting which in the coming year may be held concomitantly with Asian Regional Maize Workshop. FAO also publishes success stories on different topics. In the past at least FAO has supported publication of 3 success stories and helped to secure three inbreds Ki31, Ki32 and Ki42 from Kasetsart University and made available to TAMNET partners. 4. International Agricultural Research Centers CIMMYT: CIMMYT-ARMP at present has the major responsibility of providing technical coordination to this network. Assembling and distribution of trials is done by CIMMYT staff headquartered in Thailand. Data analysis and reporting is done by CIMMYT. Securing quarantine clearance for incoming and outgoing seed is also done by CIMMYT staff. CIMMYT-ARMP also puts up other nurseries for stress related traits and provide S3 bulks using own resources including seed shipment cost. The announced lines and/or coded lines are made available free of cost. CIMMYT-ARMP also distributes field guides for diseases, insects and agronomic practices. All CIMMYT-ARMP technical and non-technical staff is involved in performing more than one job. CIMMYT also organizes workshop that is held once every 2 or 3 years. CIMMYT staff also contributes heavily to technical articles to be published in the newsletter. Dissemination of trial results and reports is done by TAMNET technical coordinator.

5 APSA: Provides a good link between private and public sector institutions and invites suggestions and participation of private sector in TAMNET activities. Accepts articles/notes from TAMNET connected institutions in Asia-Pacific seed magazine. D. CONCLUSION TAMNET is a NARs driven initiative supported by FAO and CIMMYT and was established in As part of this network some activities have gained more prominence including TAMNET hybrid trials, newsletter and exchanging information at annual meeting in one of the host country. In the conduct of hybrid trials some deficiencies were observed and are being corrected through more appropriate incomplete block designs as well as including some sites from the private sector. Timely publication of TAMNET newsletter is needed but it cannot be done without everyone s help. Maize researchers should come forward to contribute articles of interest. Precise information of entries entering into the trials is needed for placing in appropriate trials. To strengthen TAMNET new initiatives have been introduced to accelerate hybrid development efforts in the region and to have more skilled and trained manpower to do a quality job. Cooperation among all partners is imperative if accelerating demand for maize is to be met in the future.