EFFICACY OF TRADITIONAL MAIZE (Zea mays L.) SEED STORAGE METHODS IN WESTERN KENYA

Seed security is key to the attainment of household food security among resource poor farmers in developing countries. In a baseline survey carried out in Siaya and Busia Districts of Western Kenya, storage was identified as a priority problem facing on-farm seed production. During the survey, it was found that about 80 % of the farmers produce and store their own seeds for planting in the next cropping season. During this process of seed saving, farmers reported some decline in seed quality thus leading to poor germination and eventually poor yields. A storage experiment was, therefore, set up with the objective of improving the efficacy of traditional maize seed storage methods in maintaining seed viability and vigour as compared to some improved ones. The traditional methods included hanging cobs over the fireplace and storing in gunny bags with cow dung ash as the seed treatment. These were compared with seed treatment using Mortein Doom®, a modern seed protectant and cow dung ash; in both cases seeds were stored in airtight containers. These treatments were applied on two maize varieties: Rachar, a local variety and Maseno Double Cobber, an improve