Background:
The Northern Western Plain Zone (NHZ) has approximately 4.4 lakhs hectare area under maize. Almost 100 % of the maize in this ecology is grown as irrigated crop. The medium and long duration cultivars are much suitable as rice is more remunerative crop and for replacement of rice medium and long duration hybrids are required for this region. As we know, there are lots of opportunities to enhance national maize production by cultivating high maize hybrids in this ecology. Further, peoples of NWPZ consume maize as food also as in this area “Makki di roti and sarson da saag” is famous during winter season. The normal endosperm of maize has all essential amino acids, except lysine and tryptophan, thus led to protein-energy under nutrition (PEU) (formerly known as protein-energy malnutrition, PEM). Therefore developing quality protein maize with medium duration and high yielding characteristics can add value to the maize based food in this region.:
Technology Details:
In view of importance of medium duration, high yielding maize hybrids with enriched lysine and tryptophan content, the objective was taken up to develop suitable bio-fortified maize hybrids for the target ecology. This has results the development, release and notification of IQMH 202 (IIMRQPMH 1601), a productive medium maturing, bio-fortified (It exhibited high tryptophan and lysine content) maize hybrid suitable for cultivation in NWPZ with in-built tolerance to biotic stresses. This hybrid was released and notified in the year 2021 by CVRC. The female line is very productive and there is good synchrony in hybrid seed production. However, the synchrony of male and female flowering needs to be checked and required standardization of seed production techniques at the site of seed production.:
Cultivar and growing ecologies : IQMH202 (IIMRQPMH 1601) recommended for Northern Western Plain Zone (NWPZ) comprising the states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand Plain, and Western Uttar PradeshType of corn : Quality Protein Maize (QPM) Parentage : DQL 2209 × DMRQPM 106 Year of release (CSC on CSN & RVAC) : 2020, (Dated Nov.9, 2020) Gazette Notification Details : S.O.500(E) 29.01.2021 Yield (t/ha) : 7.2-8.0t/ha in the recommended ecology Season : Kharif Season Maturity Group : Early (96 days in NWPZ during Kharif) Reaction to major diseases and insects : The hybridhas shown resistant reaction to Maydis Leaf Blight and moderately resistant reaction to Chilo partellus. Other remarks : Medium maturity single cross hybrid shown significant yield superiority (13.35 %) over the relevant best check in North Western Plain Zone during three years of testing in AICRP trials of maize. It exhibited high Tryptophan (0.66%) and Lysine content (3.05%) in endospermic protein. This hybrid is responsive to high inputs, due to medium duration it can be fit better in any maize based cropping system