CIM24EAEW-03

CIM24EAEW-03 is an early-maturing, high-yielding, white maize hybrid, with resistance to GLS, TLB, rust, ear rots, root & stalk lodging, bred for use in tropical, rainfed, wet upper mid-altitude areas in eastern Africa and similar agroecologies. It is notable for excellent MLN tolerance and good male/female split (nicking).   General Information   Target region Eastern Africa   Adaptation/Agroecological zone 1300-1900 masl   Type of product Three-way cross   Year first announced 2026             Why farmers say they like it* Grain Yield   Early maturity, big cobs, good ear placement (height), good standability Grain yield (Opt) 7.46 t/ha   Grain yield on-farm >3 t/ha* 4.48 t/ha   *Common keywords from farmer feedback during CIMMYT's Eastern Africa 2025 regional on-farm trials  Grain yield on-farm < 3 t/ha** 2.18 t/ha   Grain yield under low N 2.87 t/ha       Grain yield under MD 1.95 t/ha   Kernel Characteristics Grain yield under GLS (AI) 6.66 t/ha   Kernel color White Grain yield under TLB (AI) 8.16 t/ha   Kernel texture Semi-flint Grain yield under MLN (AI) 5.4 t/ha       *Average of ROFT sites where grain yield was greater than 3 t/ha
**Average of ROFT sites where grain yield was less than or equal to 3 t/ha   Biotic Stress Performance   Grey leaf spot (GLS) (AI) (1-9)* 4.50   Turcicum leaf blight (TLB) (AI) (1-9)* 4.13       Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN)  (AI) (1-9)* 2.50 Agronomic Characteristics   Ear rots 4.1% Maturity group Early   *Diseases are scored on a 1-9 scale, where 1 = Highly resistant; 5 = Tolerant; 9 = Highly susceptible. 50% anthesis 66 days   Anthesis-silking interval  1.18 days       Farmers' score* 2.20   Seed Production Characteristics Ear height  117.60   SC female parent yield 5.8 t/ha Plant height  218.49   Male parent yield 1.6 t/ha Ears per plant 1.00   Nicking 1 day Bad husk cover 6.6%       Ear aspect (1-5)** 2.48   Comments Plant aspect (1-5)** 2.62   Product information is based on data from CIMMYT East Africa 2024 Regional Trial and 2025 regional on‐farm trials Trials. Actual performance will vary depending on a number of agronomic and environmental factors. 

Abbreviations:
AI = artificial infestation/inoculation
FAW = fall armyworm
GDD = growing degree-days (°C)
GLS = Grey Leaf Spot
Low N = managed low nitrogen
masl = meters above sea level
MLN = maize lethal necrosis
MSV = maize streak virus
nat. = natural infestation
NUE = Nitrogen-use efficient
Opt = Optimal management
ROFT = Regional On-Farm Trials
RS = random stress
SC = single-cross
TLB = Turcicum Leaf Blight Root lodging 2.8%   Stalk lodging 5.6%   *Farmers' Score is based on a 1-5 scale where 1 = most preferred and 5 = least preferred
**Plant and ear aspects are scored on 1-5 scale, where 1 = desirable and 5 = undesirable characteristics               Further Links   Full Product Announcement
(including trial results summary and site information)