Coimbatore :

Four maize varieties have been recently released by the maize department of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) at the national level this year.

All of them have passed rigorous field trials held across various states. “These varieties have passed tests proving that they have a higher productivity than 4 high varieties,” said G Nallathambi, professor of maize breeding, department of millets at TNAU. These maize varieties were developed with the support of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). A variety tested successfully in 4 states can be released at the national level.

Nallathambi said that maize is considered to be a crop which would replace rice at the global level. “With temperature rise, paddy is becoming tough to cultivate, whereas maize is an ideal substitute,” he said. Moreover, without any support mechanisms, farmers are able to get attractive rates.

Thousands of products can be developed from maize. This includes food, poultry feed and industry products. “The uses of maize are growing. Glucose and starch can be made from maize. Maize is even used to build the outer body part of airplanes. United States is focusing on developing bio-fuels from maize. Maize takes around 75 to 110 days to mature.

In 2005-06, maize was cultivated across 2 lakh hectares in Tamil Nadu, generating an annual production of 2.41 lakh tonnes. In 2011-12, when the latest study was held, the cultivation area was 2.81 lakh hectares and productivity stood at 16.95 lakh tonnes. While in 2005-06, the average productivity was 1,189 kilos per hectare, it increased to 6,042 kilos per hectare in 2011-12. “This jump in the productivity levels can be attributed to improved varieties of crops from both the public and private sectors.

Nallathambi said that many crop varieties are in the pipeline. Meanwhile, one of their varieties released last year, CO6, which is known as CMH08-282 at the national level has begun to receive acceptance from other states. Two weeks ago they received a letter from the Gujarat State Seeds Corporation (GSSC) saying that they wanted to take up the production of CO6 variety of seeds and sought seeds from the centre. “We hope our efforts will help fulfill the food requirements of the nation,” he said.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore> Maize / by Arun P. Mathew, TNN / October 07th, 2013