Under the aegis of All India Coordinated Maize Improvement Project now Directorate of Maize Research, initiated in 1957, a fIrst set of four hybrids was released in 1961, subsequently two more double top cross hybrids were released in 1963. During the period of last 40 years or so as many as 48 hybrids have been released for commercial cultivation, in various maturity groups ranging from early to full-season. Realizing the yield potential of single cross hybrids in total production, efforts were directed in that direction with the result three single cross hybrids have been released for cultivation.|A novel approach of developing composites was adopted in the Indian maize programme and six composites were released as early as 1967. The composites had an advantage of wide adaptability and retention of own seed by the farmers for subsequent planting. One of these composite Vijay' got a wide acceptability not only in India but in Pakistan and Nepal too.|Haploidy for the production of homozygous inbred lines has been adopted as the quicker way. This activity has resulted in the development of as high as 5 percent average yield of haploid frequencies.|Four nutritionally superior maize cultivars three in the background of opaque -2 and one in hard endosperm have been developed. Several collaborative research programmes with CIMMYT on important aspects in the Asian Region are in operation and expected to generate useful information in tackling several biotic and abiotic stresses, responsible for lowering yield.|Winter cultivation of maize possesses a high potential in many states of India. The yield potential during this crop season is comparable to any temperate country .Keeping this objective in mind suitable cultivars have been developed and appropriate cultural practices including transplanting of maize have been perfected.|In the discipline of pathology a significant headway has been made in identifying sources of resistance in desirable backgrounds for several important diseases. Suitable disease management protocols have been developed. Increased research activity during last three decades has contributed to the build-up of a corpus of knowledge and information useful in reducing disease damage.|Suitable screening methods have been perfected in case of maize borer and other important pests. For laboratory rearing of the insects particularly borer diet has been developed. Chemicals have been identified to contain the loss in grain yield due to insect pests.

English

0208|AGRIS 0201|AL-Maize Program|R01PROCE

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CIMMYT Publications Collection