OP AGNIHOTRI/ Pantnagar
The Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology has developed two new improved hybrid maize varieties: DH-344 (Pant Hybrid Maize-7) and DH-346 (Pant Hybrid Maize-8). Both varieties have been found suitable for cultivation in the plains of Uttarakhand. These varieties- notified for cultivation on December 31- are single-cross hybrids grown in the Kharif season.
Pant Hybrid Maize-7 has a yield potential of 48 to 63 quintals per hectare. Its grains are orange in colour and the weight of 1,000 grains exceeds 300 grams. Pant Hybrid Maize-8, on the other hand, has a yield potential of 47 to 74 quintals per hectare, with an average yield of 57 quintals per hectare. Its grains are medium-sized and yellow in colour. In integrated trials, both varieties demonstrated moderate resistance to Maydis Leaf Blight (MLB), Circularia Leaf Spot (CLS) and Fusarium Leaf Spot (FSR). Furthermore, these varieties were found to be resistant to moderately susceptible to Tursicum Leaf Blight (TLB), Banded Leaf and Sheath Blight (BLSB) and Charcoal Rot.
As per the specialists who had developed these varieties, these have strong stems and medium height, making them less susceptible to crop damage during strong winds and rain. The firm husk reduces bird damage and prevents them from rotting and sprouting before harvest. The plants remain green after harvesting which can be used as green fodder for livestock. Due to their medium-sized grains, both varieties are also suitable for high starch production.
Currently, due to biotic and abiotic factors, the average productivity of maize in the Kharif season remains low while national demand for maize is continuously increasing due to its use in biofuels. In such a situation, these two hybrid varieties, developed by Pantnagar University, can play an important role in increasing maize production and productivity, as well as increasing farmers’ income, the senior scientists, working for the university, said.
A senior maize breeder, Narendra Kumar Singh stated that Pant Hybrid Maize-7 had been released by the Union Agriculture Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan on January 4. The vice- chancellor, GBPUAT, Manmohan Singh Chouhan congratulated breeders on this achievement
