Super Seeds launches two promising maize hybrids

Maize (Zea mays L) is one of the most versatile emerging crops having wider adaptability under varied agro-climatic conditions. Globally, maize is known as queen of cereals because it has the highest genetic yield potential among the cereals. It is cultivated on nearly 150 m ha in about 160 countries having wider diversity of soil, climate, biodiversity and management practices that contributes 36 % (1.06 m thousand t) in the global grain production. The United States of America (USA) is the largest producer of maize and contributes nearly 35 % of the total production in the world and maize is the driver of the US economy. The USA has the highest productivity (> 9.6 t ha-1) which is double than the global average (4.92 t ha-1). Whereas, the average productivity in India is 2.9 t ha-1
In India, maize is the third most important food crops after rice and wheat. It is mainly cultivated during Kharif season which covers 80% area. Maize in India, contributes nearly 9 % in the national food basket. In addition to staple food for human being and quality feed for animals, maize serves as a basic raw material as an ingredient to thousands of industrial products that includes starch, oil, protein, alcoholic beverages, food sweeteners, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, film, textile, gum, package and paper industries etc.
The maize is cultivated throughout the year in all states of the country for various purposes including grain, fodder, green cobs, sweet corn, baby corn, popcorn in urban areas. It has been reported that yield of hybrids is significantly higher than the varieties. In order to meet the increasing demand of hybrid seed super seeds has launched two single cross hybrids having great potential for yield and quality. SUPER1818 :This is a hybrid with very high promise. It can be cultivated in kharif as well as in rebi season. It has yield potential of about 45 q/ha .It combines high grain yield with medium maturity (about 110 days in kharif and 125 to 130 days in rabi. It has slightly higher cob placement, long cob with14 – 16 cob rows, conico- cylindrical cob shape, kernels are of orange colour and flint type and round in shape, shank is white. Test weight is 270 -280g.

SUPER 6030  :This is a wonder hybrid specially recommended for low rainfall areas and is moderately tolerant to drought and foliar diseases. It has drooping leaves. It is late in silking ( more than 58days),medium cob placement, long cob length (more than 15cm), large ear diameter(more than 5cm), 14 grain rows, semi flint to semi flint cob, orange yellow grains with straight karnel rows, karnels are indented in shape and larger in size (more than 7 cm ). Plants remain green till maturity. It has yield potential of 40-45 q/ha.

Source: Hari Prakash Yadav

hpyadav@superseedsonline.com