Breeding Single Cross Hybrids Of Maize For Rainfed Mid Hill Regions

Abstract

Maize improvement will directly impact the food, feed and industry sector and significantly, to the employment sector also. Raising maize production will therefore overcome the problem of low productivity of maize (20 ql/ha) and create a positive all round impact for farmers of hill zones of Jammu and Kashmir (India), where maize is staple and traditionally cultivated crop. Considering the facts, a maize breeding research project was started since 2010 to develop high yielding single cross hybrids most suitable for prevailing climate. The hybrids thus produced were identified by evaluations through different agencies over years was of immense value. Out of the several station hybrids, PHM 11, PHM 12 and PHM 34showed consistent performance for grain yield over years and locations. The hybrid PHM 12 and PHM 34 showed 21.9% and 22.2% yield superiority, respectively over national check in zone I, India, where as the hybrids performed 43.3 to 48.2 ql/ha grain yield at farmers field under farmers management practices which was more than double of average production of the region. One of the hybrid, PHM 12 has been recommended and approved for release by the state varietal release committee of state government. Considering the performance, the hybrids may be recommended for commercial cultivation to expeditiously meet the challenge of maize productivity and production economy of this region.