Background:
The Central Western Zone (CWZ), have approximately 20.0 lakhs hectare area under maize cultivation. In this zone a sizeable population of tribals is there and they usually take white maize as their staple food, hence they are taking their protein energy requirement from maize only. The normal maize is deficient in two essential amino acids i.e. lysine and tryptophan. Hence, there is a need to develop and provide lysine rich maize to tribals of this area. In this zone maize is grown as rainfed crop during kharif season. As we know there is an ample opportunity to increase the production and productivity by growing medium maturing high yielding maize hybrids in this area.:
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 203 (IIMRQPMH 1705), a productive medium maturing, bio-fortified (It exhibited high tryptophan and lysine content) maize hybrid suitable for cultivation in CWZ 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 : IQMH 203 (IIMRQPMH-1705) recommended for Central Western Zone comprising statesRajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh & GujaratType of corn : Quality Protein Maize (QPM) Parentage : DQL 2192 × DMRQPM 106 Year of release (CSC on CSN & RVAC) : 2020, (Dated Nov.9, 2020) Gazette Notification Details : S.O.500(E) 29.01.2021 Average yield (t/ha) : 6.3 (Kharif) Season : Kharif Maturity Group : Medium (89 days) Reaction to major diseases and insects : IQMH 203 (IIMRQPMH-1705) has shown Resistance to Fusarium stalk rot and moderately resistant to Rajasthan Downy Mildew, Curvularia Leaf Spot and Chilopartellus.under artificial epiphytotic conditions at hot spots. Other remarks : IQMH 203 (IIMRQPMH-1705) medium maturity single cross hybrid shown significant yield superiority (29.0, 35.7 and 28.0 %) over the relevant best checks in Central Western Zone during three years of testing in AICRP trials of maize. It exhibited high Tryptophan (0.77 %) and Lysine content (3.48 %) in endospermic protein. This hybrid is responsive to high inputs, due to medium duration it can be fit better in maize based cropping system.