Understanding Trait And Geographic Diversity Among Maize Hybrids –Through Diversity Indices Using Diva-Gis And Maxent

Abstract

Under the AICRP on maize, 63 diverse hybrids, involving both public and private sector, were evaluated /tested in NIVT Late trial during Kharif 2018. The data viz. plant height, cob height, days to 50% pollen shed, days to 50% silking, days to 75% maturity and cob weight from four diverse geographic locations (centres) of the peninsular region viz. Coimbatore, Dharwad, Karimnagar and Hyderabad were analysed for diversity and richness indices using DIVA-GIS software. The objective was to identify the trait (s), which showed more diversity or richness among the hybrids and secondly to identify the centre- geographical region which was more efficient in bringing about the diversity and richness in the hybrids. Ecological niche modelling using Maximum Entropy method was analysed to identify the potential regions for growing the elite maize hybrids. The study will help in understanding the diverse hybrids and also the geographical regions (climatic conditions) for resolving the diversity among the hybrids better and also those regions which are better suited for the cultivation of these hybrids.