Evaluation des paramètres productifs et quantification d’aflatoxine de sept variétés de maïs (Zea mays L.) testées en Haïti

Maize is the second most consumed cereal in Haiti after rice. Even so national maize yield is low (0.84 t/ha) with high aflatoxin (AF) risk exposure. The main objective of the present study is to evaluate the yield parameters of seven maize varieties tested in a participative approach at Torbeck plain and quantify the aflatoxin content. Two maize varieties are from University of Milan (UNIMI), two from Agriculture College of University Notre Dame of Haiti (UNDH), and the other three, from local farmers of Torbeck. Results revealed that maximal (4.36 t/ha) and minimal (3.14 t/ha) maize grain yield were noted for Tilevy, provided by local farmers and for R4865, from UNIMI (p<0.05), respectively. The maximal correlation was found between maize grain yield and mass of 100 grains (ρ= 0.485) followed by the correlation with the number of grains per row (ρ= 0.477). AF contamination of tested materials varied from Comayagua (Max: 7.6; average: 5.6±1.8 ppb) to Maquina (Max: 151; average: 79.65±72.56 ppb). The material R4865, provided by UNIMI showed AF concentration < 20 ppb fixed by US Food and Drugs Administration limits. Therefore, R4865 from UNIMI could be used as the donor of pollen to Tilevy in programs with aim to produce large maize grain quality in Haiti.