”ICAR Launches 6 New Maize Varieties: Discover Their Features”
August 21, 2024, New Delhi: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has introduced six new varieties of maize, which could revolutionize agricultural production for Indian farmers. Developed by various Indian agricultural research institutions, these new varieties are tailored for different states across the country, offering farmers enhanced yield, salt tolerance, and successful production in various climatic conditions.
Indian Agricultural Research Institute
- Pusa Popcorn Hybrid – 1 (APCH 2)
This maize hybrid has been developed by ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, for states including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand (plains), Western Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.
Special Features: Suitable for irrigated rabi conditions.
Yield: 46.04 quintals/hectare (NPZD), 47.17 quintals/hectare (PZD).
Maturity: 120.2 days (NPZD), 102.1 days (PZD).
Popping Percentage: High (97.3% NPZD, 98.3% PZD).
Popping Expansion Ratio: 18.
Disease Resistance: Medium resistance to charcoal rot.
Maize for Different Climates
- Pusa Popcorn Hybrid – 1 (APCH 2)
This maize variety, developed by ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, is suitable for Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand (plains), Western Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan.
Special Features: Suitable for kharif season.
Yield: 84.33 quintals/hectare (NPZD), 71.13 quintals/hectare (PZD), 56.58 quintals/hectare (CWZD).
Maturity: 79.8 days (NPZD), 93.9 days (PZD), 86.4 days (CWZD).
Nutrient Content: Rich in provitamin-A (6.7 ppm), lysine (3.47%), and tryptophan (0.78%).
Disease Resistance: Medium resistance to MLB, BLSB, and TLB.
New Agricultural Developments
- Pusa HM4 Male Sterile Baby Corn-2 (ABSH4-2)
This baby corn variety has been developed by ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, for Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan.
Special Features: Suitable for irrigated conditions during the kharif season.
Yield: 19.56 quintals/hectare (NEPZD), 14.07 quintals/hectare (PZD), 16.03 quintals/hectare (CWZD).
Maturity: 53 days.
Male Sterility: 100% male sterile, no pollen shedding.
Disease Resistance: Medium resistance to charcoal rot.
Maize Disease Resistance
- IMH 230 IMHSB 20R-6
Developed by the Indian Maize Research Institute, Ludhiana, Punjab, this variety is suitable for Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.
Special Features: Suitable for irrigated rabi season.
Yield: 92.36 quintals/hectare.
Maturity: 145.2 days.
Disease Resistance: Medium resistance to biotic stress, MLB, CHR, and TLB. Medium tolerance to Chilopartellus and Fall Armyworm.
New Agricultural Developments
- IMH 231 IMHSB 20K-10
Developed by the Indian Maize Research Institute, Ludhiana, Punjab, this variety is suitable for Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Assam.
Special Features: Suitable for irrigated kharif conditions.
Yield: 70.28 quintals/hectare.
Maturity: 90 days.
Disease Resistance: Medium tolerance to waterlogging, medium tolerance to lodging, and medium resistance to TLB and MLB.
Crop Improvement in India
- Pusa Popcorn Hybrid – 2 (APCH 3)
This maize variety has been developed by ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, for Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.
Special Features: Suitable for irrigated rabi season.
Yield: 45.13 quintals/hectare.
Maturity: 102 days.
Disease Resistance: Medium resistance to TLB.
