Manual of Hybrid Seed Production Technology in Maize.

Abstract

Globally maize is an important cereal crop for food, feed, fodder, and also a raw material for various food and non-food-based industries. The area, production, and productivity of maize are increasing continuously in India and the World. However, the rate of increase and level of productivity across different countries varies. The major reason for the variation in maize productivity across countries is the varying degree of adoption of improved technologies. To meet the growing demand for maize in the India and world, production and productivity of maize need to be enhanced which can be achieved by the increasing area under hybrids and by using improved packages and practices for its cultivation. The increasing area under the hybrids maize will create a high demand for hybrid seeds in near future. Hybrid technology is one such technology that has impacted significantly on the increase of maize productivity across the globe. In India, the area covered under hybrid technology is around 70% of the total maize area of the country. There is tremendous scope to bring more and more area of maize under hybrid technology. In this context, the Manual of hybrid seed production technology in maize published by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research is a significant contribution for accelerating quality seed production in the country. The seed production manual covers all aspects of maize hybrid seed production. The manual briefly introduces to the readers the bird-eye view of the global and Indian scenario of the hybrid seed market, current status, future scope, and system of seed production that existed in India and elsewhere. It covers the biology of maize which is a basic requirement in terms of understanding the crop per se before taking up hybrid seed production. The manual covers the major aspects of seed production like important considerations before taking up hybrid seed production, standardizing seeds production techniques for a new site, techniques of hybrid seed production, various agro-techniques involved in hybrid seed production, and crop protection. It also covers the procedure involved in seed certification. This manual of hybrid seed production in maize would serve as an important resource material for all those who are actively involved in maize hybrid seed production.