Maize Breeding in India - Retrospective Analysis and Prospects·

Abstract

Maize is one ofthe three most important food grain crops in the world. It is utilized as human food, livestock and poultry
feed, industrial raw material and as fodder. In India, it occupies third position among food grains with respect to
production and productivity, and ranks fifth for the area under cultivation.
TheAll-IndiaCoordinated Maize Improvement Project, the first multi-centre, multi-disciplinary project ofunique
nature, was established in 1957. The project has made outstanding contributions not only in maize improvement but
also in the development ofsimilar research projects in other crops/disciplines. The project (ocused on hybrid breeding
and released eight hybrids during 1961 to 1964. However, due to less than expected impact of these hybrids and the
problems faced in their seed production, the breeding strategy was reassessed, and composite breeding was prioritized.
A first set ofcomposites (six) was released in 1967. Up to 1972,21 cultivars were released which generally possessed
late maturing. During 1970s the breeding programme was again assessed and reoriented towards early maturity.
Further, intra-population improvement was undertaken on a vast scale to develop composites particularly early
maturing. Consequently, hybrid breeding was discontinued with the exception ofa few research centers. During 1980s
emphasis was shifted back to hybrid breeding with a focus on the single crosses. Apparently there have been sharp turns
in the breeding strategies and priorities.
Indian maize breeding programme has a very strong linkage with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement
Center (CIMMYT), Mexico, and CIMMYT's maize germplasm has been extensively used by the Indian programme.
CIMMYT has not only liberally supplied germplasm but has also significantly contributed in the development of
human resources and has, thereby, markedly influenced breeding strategies and objectives of the Indian programme.
To exploit the emerging opportunities, maize breeding needs to be focussed on specific adaptation, for example,
development of input responsive hybrids (specifically single crosses) for favourable environments, and early maturing
hybrids and composites possessing tolerance to stresses like low nutrient supply and extreme moisture and temperature
regimes for other environments. The cultivars must possess high yield, stability of performance, multiple resistancel
tolerance to biotic/abiotic stresses and appropriate maturity. Breeding efforts in special maize types (high oil, quality
protein, pop, sweet, baby, specialized starch) and more specifically in winter maize and in fodder maize need to be
strengthened and streamlined. Last but not least, there is an urgent need to upgrade the research in maize biotechnology
in the areas like development oftransgenics f~r biotic and abiotic stresses, marker assisted selection and prediction of
hybrid performance; and integrate the same with maize breeding.