Chitedze

The small grains team carries out research on barley, millets, sorghum and wheat in the country while that on millets and sorghum is based at Kasinthula.

Areas of research

(i) screening millet, sorghum, wheat and barley cultivars that are tolerant to diseases and pests,
(ii) screening high yielding varieties under both rain-fed and irrigated conditions,
(iii) relay cropping, intercropping and mixed intercropping,
(iv) wheat response to fertilizer application, and
(v) soil and water management.

Achievements

Recommended varieties
(i) wheat (Kenyanyati, Limpopo, Jupateco 73, Gamtoos, and Lourie) achievements include:
(ii) barley (Catrina, Triumph, CA 737606 and CA 710404), and
(iii) Sorghum (Pilira I and II)

Recommended Practices
(i) spacing - to control Leaf rust (Puccina recondita and spot blotch (Helminthosporium setivum)
(ii) time of planting, weeding, seed and fertilizer application rates.
(iii) water application rates under irrigation.