Maize Germplasm Field Day Organized at ICAR-NBPGR on 16 September 2017

Maize Germplasm Field Day was organized at ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi on 16 September, 2017. It was attended by the scientists, technical staff and students belonging to state agricultural universities (SAUs) namely CSK HPKV, MRS, Bajoura (HP): SKUAS&T, Srinagar (J&K); AAU, MRS, Godhra (Gujarat): and ICAR institutes namely ICAR-IARI, ICAR-IIMR and ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi. Dr. Ashok Kumar, Principal Scientist, Division of Germplasm Evaluation informed about the kind of maize germplasm being grown at NBPGR and also appealed to the breeders to make best use of germplasm in their breeding programme. Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Director, ICAR-NBPGR welcomed the participants and deliberated about the importance of the Germplasm Field days for the enhanced utilization of the genetic resources. He also urged to the participants for providing feedback on germplasm utilization and the desirable traits for future demand and use.. All the participants visited the NBPGR Farm, IARI where 796 accessions of diverse origin mainly from north western Himalayan (NWH) and north eastern Himalayan (NEH) regions are being grown for characterization, evaluation and multiplication. The participants selected the germplasm based on their breeding objective and traits of interest. The participants expressed satisfaction and appreciated the efforts of NBPGR for organizing the activity and showing live variability at proper stage. During interaction session, the detailed discussion was held on various issues like geo referencing and collection of trait specific germplasm, screening of germplasm against biotic stresses (foliar diseases) and abiotic stresses namely cold and drought tolerance at hot spot locations etc. Emphasis was also given to identify suitable germplasm lines for quality parameters. Dr. Jyoti Kumari, Senior Scientist presented vote of thanks.