Abstract
The maize database, first of its kind in India, is a central repository for cultivars i.e. hybrids and open pollinated varieties (OPVs) notified for cultivation in India since the inception of All India Coordinated Maize Improvement Project (AICMIP) in 1957. The database includes the information on cultivars developed from public as well as private breeding programmes. Besides, information on registered germplasm is also given. The database carries image gallery showcasing photographs of cobs/standing crop of the public-bred cultivars released after 1993.The database also presents information about adaptability of cultivars, average yield and disease, and insect-pest resistance along with the parental materials used in breeding programmes. Information on 31 descriptors as per Distinctivity, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) tests in respect of parental lines and their hybrids that were filed for protection under “Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act, 2001” (PPVFRAct, 2001) has been supplemented. In addition, the database provides contact information on developers of the notified cultivars thereby facilitating interactions among the members of maize community. The information contained within maize database can be accessed at on-line expert system called maize AGRIdaksh (www.iimr.res.in/maizeexpertsystem/www.agridaksh.iasri.res.in/maize). Information on notified cultivars (1961-2010) parental lines and cultivars (1993-2012) filed under PPVFRAct, 2001 can also be accessed at www.iimr.res.in/maizeexpertsystem/maize hybrids and composite varieties released in India. Whereas, information about registered germplasm (2003-2012) can be accessed at www.iimr.res.in/publications.
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most widely distributed crop of the world being grown in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions from sea level to more than 3000 m under irrigated to semi-arid conditions
Institute of Maize Research (IIMR) has been identified as the nodal agency to file applications pertaining to public-bred cultivars, conduct DUS tests on new varieties including parental lines and document crop genetic resources in maize
Steps were initiated at Directorate of Maize Research (DMR) ( Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-IIMR) to develop an Indian Maize Cultivar Database (IMCDB) and regularly update it with new information. In this manuscript we report the development of database on notified cultivars, parental lines of released hybrids and registered germplasm of maize
Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most widely distributed crop of the world being grown in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions from sea level to more than 3000 m under irrigated to semi-arid conditions. IIMR is mandated with increasing the production and productivity of maize through the development and deployment of genetically superior high yielding cultivars coupled with improved production/protection jas.ccsenet.org. The introduction of IPRs in agriculture is an aspect that has serious implications for crop management, germplasm conservation and its documentation, development of new varieties, fulfillment of the basic right to food, and, affects economic development of the country. The Act provides for registration of new and extant cultivars for a period of 15 years (for agricultural crops) besides documentation and conservation of genetic resources. IIMR has been identified as the nodal agency to file applications pertaining to public-bred cultivars (hybrids and OPVs), conduct DUS tests on new varieties including parental lines (public-bred as well as proprietary) and document crop genetic resources in maize
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