Climate-resilient maize varieties being developed: IIMR Ludhiana

“ICAR-IIMR is developing climate-resilient maize by breeding stress-tolerant and high-starch hybrids, improving resistance to pests and diseases, promoting innovative agronomic practices, and leveraging advanced tools like genome editing, AI, and agri-drones. These efforts, along with stronger market linkages, aim to ensure sustainable and profitable maize production,” said the institute in a statement.

In Punjab, the development of long-duration maize hybrids is a major concern for diversifying the rice–wheat system, along with the need to develop waterlogging-tolerant varieties for areas near rivers. Various options for sustainable maize-based systems have been identified, with maize-wheat-mungbean and maize-mustard-mungbean found most promising. Among the hybrids, IMH 222 and IMH 223 (medium duration) and LQMH 1 (short duration) could be better options during spring, while IMH 231 appears to be a better option for kharif, according to experts.

ICAR-IIMR organised its Research Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting Thursday under the chairmanship of Dr S S Gosal, vice-chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana.

Six members, including a farmers’ representative monitored the progress of the institute and recommended future directions of the research. The committee appreciated the significant work carried out by ICAR-IIMR, Ludhiana, during the past year. In 2024-2025, a total of 27 maize hybrids were released, including 22 from the public sector (of which 4 were from IIMR) and five from the private sector.

A total of 13 MoUs were signed for five different IIMR hybrids by the private seeds’ companies/ MSMEs. Additionally, 17 maize hybrids from the public sector were registered with PPV&FRA, of which five were from ICAR-IIMR. Notably, for the last four years, IIMR hybrids have consistently received the highest breeder seed indents from DAC.

The committee further suggested a continued focus on developing maize hybrids with combined tolerance to multiple stresses, higher starch content, and improved yields to meet the ever-increasing demand for maize.