Genetic Trends of the Maize Breeding Program at the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute

Monitoring genetic gain is critical for evaluating breeding program performance. This study assessed genetic trends in the Zambia national maize breeding program using his-torical data (2001–2017) from 2,225 hybrids tested across years and locations. Best linear unbiased estimates (BLUEs) were calculated, and genetic trends were determined by re-gressing entry means on first-year testing data. Mean heritability was moderate for grain yield, plant height, and ear height, and high for anthesis and silking dates, indicating strong reliability for flowering traits. Significant positive genetic gains were observed for most traits except days to silking. Grain yield increased at 0.021 t ha⁻¹ per year (0.85% annually), reflecting progress but remaining below levels required to meet future production demands. Plant and ear height increased by more than 1.3 cm annually, suggesting directional selection for taller plant architecture. Grain texture declined by 1.28% per year, indicating a shift toward flint-type kernels. Anthesis date and ears per plant showed minimal genetic variation. Regression models explained over 15% of the total variation for plant height, ear height, ear number, and grain texture, confirming consistent genetic progress. Although measurable gains were achieved, accelerating yield improvement will require rapid-cycle breeding, enhanced trait heritability, modern breeding tools, and strategic reallocation of resources to sustain long-term impact.