Maize Breeding in the Highlands of Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia: A Review

Maize is one of the most important staple crops in highlands Andean region Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Most seeds come from landraces, with their own kernel characteristics. The kernels are used for elaboration traditional dishes other elaborates human consumption. In this region, maize breeding conducted mainly by public institutions. review, we outline methodology that has been programs (MBPs) National Institutes Agricultural Research institutions Bolivia during last 20 years. main objective MBPs to develop more uniform productive open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) floury (Zea mays L. var. Amylacea), which type area. Participatory plant breeding, combined half-sib, breed new varieties. At least 18 OPVs have released into Breeding very conserve diversity promote consumption but they had little impact on yield. yield around three times below dent or semident grown region. Therefore, there a need apply techniques accelerate development floury-maize cultivars.