Seed varieties refer to the distinct types or cultivars of a plant species that have been developed through selective breeding or genetic modification to exhibit specific characteristics, such as higher yield, disease resistance, drought tolerance, or improved nutritional content. Each variety is genetically unique and has been adapted to thrive in specific growing conditions.
In Kenya, the selection of appropriate seed varieties is crucial for farmers to optimize their crop production and adapt to local environmental conditions. The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and other institutions work to develop and distribute improved seed varieties for various crops, such as maize, beans, and sorghum, to help farmers increase their yields and resilience to climate change.
Common Seed Varieties in Kenya
Maize Varieties In Kenya
Varieties: DroughtTEGO WE1101, DroughtTEGO WE2101, DroughtTEGO WE2104, DroughtTEGO WE2107, DroughtTEGO WE2108, DroughtTEGO WE2110, DroughtTEGO WE3101, DroughtTEGO WE3102, DroughtTEGO WE3104, DroughtTEGO WE3105, DroughtTEGO WE3106, DroughtTEGO WE3205, DroughtTEGO WE3210, DroughtTEGO WE4104, DroughtTEGO WE4108, DroughtTEGO WE4109, DroughtTEGO WE4115, DroughtTEGO WE4117, DroughtTEGO WE4140, DroughtTEGO WE4141, DroughtTEGO WE4142, DroughtTEGO WE4207, DroughtTEGO WE4208, DroughtTEGO WE5117, DroughtTEGO WE5120, DroughtTEGO WE5202, DroughtTEGO WE5205, DroughtTEGO WE5206, DroughtTEGO WE5210, DroughtTEGO WE5213, DroughtTEGO WE5215, DroughtTEGO WE5218, DroughtTEGO WE5227, DroughtTEGO WE5230, DroughtTEGO WE6101, DroughtTEGO WE6103, DroughtTEGO WE6105, DroughtTEGO WE6106, DroughtTEGO WE6108, DroughtTEGO WE6110, DroughtTEGO WE7117, DroughtTEGO WE7118, DroughtTEGO WE7119, KS-DH13, Pan 4M-11, PH1 (Pwani Hybrid), SC Duma 43, SIFA, C5051, EMBU POA, H515, H516, H519, H520, H521, H522, H523, KDH41408 (Ukamez-4), KDH41409 (Ukamez-5), KDH4145 (Ukamez-1), KDH4146 (Ukamez-2), KDH4147 (Ukamez-3), KH50013E, KS-H6503, PAMUKA 1, PAMUKA 2, Pan 3M05, PAN 4M-17, PAN 4M-19, PAN 5195, PAN 67, PAN 7M 83, PAN 99, SC 801, SC Duma 419, SC Pundamilia 545, SC Simba 63, SC Simba 649, Simba, SY 5344, SY 6444, WH 105, WH 509, WH101, WH202, WH301, WH401, WH402, WH509, WS103, WS202, WS303, DH03, DH09, DK 8031, H511, H513, H518, H623, H624, K-BEST, KH50051A, KH634A, KS-TP94, Maseno Double Cobber, PAN 4M-21, PAN 5243, PAN 5355, PH4, PHB30H83, Pioneer 3506 W, SC Duma 41, SC Tembo73, Sungura, TS401, WE3201, WH 403, WH 505, WH 904, WS909, DH01, DH02, DH04, DH05, DH06, DH8, H512, H517, PAN 77, Pioneer 2809, Pioneer 2848, Pioneer 3253, Pioneer 3812, Pioneer 3G-19, Punda Millia, WE3202, WH 501, WH302, WM1203, WM1254, WM1259
Sorghum
Varieties: SC Smile, ADV7450, 2K x 17, KS -Sorg2, RUT53, SC XH 101, Hybrid Mtama-1(KSBH-01, Egerton Sorghum Hybrid, KS-SWEET SORGH 4, Kak sweet Sorgh1, IS8595, IS 8193
Custard Apple
Varieties: Red Sitaphal, Balanagar, Washington, Hybrid, British Guinea, Island Gem, Pink Mammoth, Atemoya
Grapes
Varieties: Maroo, Red Globe, Dodrilabi, Office Vine, Golden Muscat, Black rose, Italia, Muscat of Hamburg, Alphonse, Laralle, Muscat of Alexandria, PerlettaCardinal, Dalbiki, French colombard, Semillon Rootstocks, Sauzao, Saungnok blank, Carbaret, Alicarte, Grenard
Mulberry
Varieties: ex-limuru, Wasemidori (ex-Japan), ex-ithanga, Kikuha (ex-Japan), Robashi (ex-Japan), Minamisakari (ex-Japan), Noi (ex-Thailand), kanva 2, ex-thika, Ichinose (ex-Japan), ex-embu, S 36
Banana
Varieties: Grand naine (Ripening), Uganda Green (Cooking types), Giant Cavendish (Ripening), Fhia 17 (Ripening), Williams (Ripening), GT-Kisii sweet (Apple), Vallery (Ripening), Lacatan (Ripening), Ngombe (Cooking types), Nusu Ngombe(Cooking types), Pelipita (Dual), Bokoboko (Dual) Sukari Ndisi (Apple), Muraru (Dual), Gold Finger (Dual), Mkono watembo (Dual), Dwarf Cavandish (Ripening), Chinese Cavandish (Ripening), Gross Michel (Ripening), Paz (Ripening), Ugandan red (Ripening), Peripeta (Ripening), Mutahato (Cooking types), GradiShisikame (Cooking types)
Cabbages
Varieties: Oxylus F1, Pruktor F1 Hybrid, Amigo F1, Globe Master F1 Hybrid, Gloria F1 Hybrid, Blue Dynasty F1, Victoria F1, Riana F1 Hybrid, Super Master F1, Santar F1, Field Winner F1 Hybrid, Chihili Ruby Perfection F1 Hybrid, Riva F1, Escazu F1, Quisor, Triperio, Green Coronet F1 Hybrid, CPI, Red acre, Copenhagen Market, Prize Drumhead, Sugar Loaf, Baraka F1, Hero F1 (Sokoni), Rotanda F1
Tomato
Varieties: Bawito F1, Master F1, Mavuno F1, Anna F1, Chonto F1, Tylka F1, Kilele F1, Prostar F1, Libra F1, Bravo F1, Bingwa F1, Bashaer F1 Tanya, Kentom F1, Nouvelle F1, M82, Rambo, Harmony F1, Gem F1, Shanty F1, Oxyl, Faulu, Susana, Strike F1, Terminator F1, Samantha F1, Star 9065 F1, Star 9068 F1, Star 9082 F1, Steve F1, Stallion F1, Ranger F1, Commando F1, Rionex, Danny F1, Rounder, Sifa, Laila, Tengeru, Maxim F1, Beki F1, BWT Supasta F1, Ansal F1, Safa F1, Asilla F1, Segar F1, Joy F1, Kubwa F1, Randah f1, Padma F1, Eden F1, Nuru F1, Nyota F1, Claudia F1, Corazon F1, Primadona F1, Yaara F1, Cherry Red beauty, Luci Plus F1, Gallilea F1, Rocky F1, RafanoF1, Onyx F1, New Fortune maker F1, Rio Grande, Cal-J, DRD 8551, Sandokan F1, Mwangaza, Monalisa F1, Eva, Zara F1
Water melon
Varieties: Crimson sweet, Charleston grey, Maridadi F1, Apoorva, Lahat, Fahari F1, Odem F1, Riverside F1 6801, Sugarbaby, Scarlet F1, Asali F1, Sukari F1, Kazuri F1
Sugarcane
Varieties: N14, KEN 82-247, KEN 82-401, KEN 82-62, KEN 98 -530, KEN 00-3548, KEN 00-5873, Co421, EAK69-47, EAK70-97, EAK71-402, CB38-22, Co1148, Co945, KEN 82-216, KEN 82-219, KEN 82-808, KEN 83-737, EAK 73-335, D8484, KEN 82-472, KEN 98 -367, KEN 98-533, KEN 98 -551, KEN 00 -13, KEN 00-3811
Potato
Varieties: Kenya Mpya, Unica, Arnova, Rudolph, Connect, Sarpo Mira, Manitou, Saviola, Toluca (AR97-1385), Caruso, Rumba, Carolus Laura, Lady Amarilla, El Mundo, Acoustic, Challenger, Derby, Evora, Faluka, Farida, Jelly, Kuroda, Lady Terra, Markies, Milva, Musica, Panamera, Rock, Royal, Sagitta, Taurus, Voyager, Zarina, Ambition, Lady Balfor, Gemson, Sorrento, Reiver, Cara, Shangi, Kerr’s Pink
Foxtail Millet
Varieties: Kat/Fox-1
Related terms: Cultivars, hybrids, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), plant breeding, germplasm