Good news for farmers, PM Modi launches 6 new advanced maize varieties with improved disease resistance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently launched six new advanced maize varieties that are specifically designed for high yield and improved disease resistance. These new varieties promise to provide Indian farmers with higher yields even in challenging weather conditions. Let’s explore the unique characteristics, yields, and benefits of these maize varieties.

In today's farming landscape, crops face numerous diseases, posing a significant challenge that directly impacts crop production. The use of various chemical fertilizers has led to reduced yields and financial losses for farmers. India, being an agrarian economy, heavily relies on agriculture for a substantial portion of its GDP. To address these challenges, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed six new advanced maize varieties with higher yields and better disease resistance. These varieties were officially released on August 11, 2024, at Pusa, Delhi, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These new maize varieties are expected to provide good yields for farmers across the country. Let's take a closer look at these new varieties:

Special Features and Yield of These Maize Varieties:

1. Pusa Popcorn Hybrid - 1 (APCH 2): This maize variety is known for its high yield and superior disease resistance. It has been developed by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Research for the regions of Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand (plains), Western Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. This variety is suitable for irrigated Rabi season cultivation. It offers a high yield of 46.04 quintals per hectare (NWPZ) and 47.17 quintals per hectare (PZ). The crop matures in 120 days (NWPZ) and 102 days (PZ). Additionally, it is resistant to charcoal rot, showing resistance to moderate resistance levels.
2. Pusa Biofortified Maize Hybrid - 4 (APH4): This maize variety has been developed by the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute for the regions of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand (plains), Western Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. It is suitable for cultivation in the Kharif season. The variety yields 84.33 quintals per hectare (NWPZ), 71.13 quintals per hectare (PZ), and 56.58 quintals per hectare (CWZ). It matures in 79.8 days (NWPZ), 93.9 days (PZ), and 86.4 days (CWZ). This maize is rich in pro-vitamin A, lysine, and tryptophan. Additionally, it is resistant to moderately resistant against MLB, BLSB, and TLB.
3. Pusa HM4 Male Sterile Baby Corn-2 (ABSH4-2): Developed by the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, this maize variety is suitable for cultivation in the Kharif season under irrigated conditions. It is specifically designed for the regions of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. The variety yields 19.56 quintals per hectare (NEPZ), 14.07 quintals per hectare (PZ), and 16.03 quintals per hectare (CWZ). It matures in 53 days and exhibits 100% male sterility with no anther emission. Additionally, it is resistant to moderately resistant against charcoal rot.
4. IMH 230 IMHSB 20 R-6: This maize variety has been developed by the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Ludhiana, Punjab, for the regions of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. It is suitable for the irrigated Rabi season and yields 92.36 quintals per hectare. The crop matures in 145.2 days. It shows moderate resistance to biotic stresses such as MLB, ChR, and TLB and has moderate tolerance to pests like Chilo partellus and fall armyworm.
5. IMH 231 IMHSB 20 K-10: Developed by the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Ludhiana, Punjab, this maize variety is suitable for the irrigated Kharif season in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. It yields 70.28 quintals per hectare and matures in 90 days. The variety is moderately resistant to TLB, MLB, and resistant to FSR.
6. Pusa Popcorn Hybrid-2 (APCH 3): This maize variety has been developed by the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, for the regions of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. It is suitable for the irrigated Kharif season, yielding 70.28 quintals per hectare, and matures in 90 days. Additionally, it is moderately resistant to TLB, MLB, and resistant to FSR. The variety is also suitable for the irrigated Rabi season, yielding 45.13 quintals per hectare and maturing in about 102 days, with moderate resistance to TLB.