On Tuesday, April 15, we visited the “Las Magnolias” experimental field of the National University of the Northwest of the Province of Buenos Aires (UNNOBA), located in Junín. A comparative maize trial is currently being carried out there as part of the Evaluation Network that Bioleft has been supporting for several years. This network aims to generate agronomic information collaboratively, promoting the use of open-pollinated varieties and encouraging more diverse, open, and resilient seed systems.
he visit was coordinated by Carolina Sgarbi, Agronomist and Professor in the Zoology Department at UNNOBA, together with Hernán Fanelli, an agroecological farmer from the region who is interested in dual-purpose maize varieties—those suitable for both animal feed and grain production. We were welcomed by Bernarda Roldán, technical advisor to an agroecological group from the Cambio Rural program, along with Lucas Wehren and Diego Benavidez, advanced agronomy students researching open-pollinated maize varieties for their undergraduate theses.
The trial seeks to characterize materials adapted to diverse systems, such as agroecological or mixed production. Five varieties were evaluated: Amancay, Quarentín, Chucul, Adelia, and the hybrid RR “Super Frankestein.” Three planting densities were also tested: high (75,000 plants/ha), medium (60,000 plants/ha), and low (45,000 plants/ha), using a randomized block design with three replications per treatment, totaling 45 plots.
The parameters evaluated include yield components: number of plants per hectare, number of ears per plant, number of kernels per ear, and thousand-kernel weight (TKW); flowering date; ear insertion height; and prolificacy (more than one ear per plant). The sowing took place on December 19 on a plot previously planted with sorghum, with the application of a pre-emergent herbicide. In January, the trial was irrigated, which likely contributed to the good development observed in the plots. However, lodging was observed in some plots, which drew attention and will be taken into account when interpreting the results.
Harvest is expected to take place in mid-June, at which point the first results will be available. This information will be key for advancing knowledge of the materials and their performance in different production contexts, supporting decision-making by farmers, technicians, and institutions involved in diverse agricultural systems.
At Bioleft, we celebrate this initiative and thank UNNOBA, its faculty, students, producers, and advisors who make this work possible. If you’re interested in joining this network, you can write to us at info@bioleft.org or follow us on our social media channels.