Phule Maharshi-A Single Cross Maize Hybrid for Maharashtra

Phule Maharshi (QMH-1025), a single cross maize hybrid from public sector in Maharashtra is developed from the cross between QMI-1403 x QMI-1401 by hybridization technique. It is high yielding, orange yellow, semi-flint type, midlate maturing, resistant to Maydis leaf blight, Fusarium stalk rot, and moderately resistant to Turcicum leaf blight, Banded leaf & sheath blight and Charcoal rot. It is also resistant to Stem borer (Chilo partellus Sw.) in field condition. It is superior for crude protein and fibre, starch, Mn and Ca over the check Rajarshi and suitable for Kharif and Rabi season. In various states and varietal trials, the maize hybrid QMH1025 consistently recorded best performance. During Kharif season, QMH-1025 recorded 7605 Kg ha-1 grain yield, which was 37.27 percent higher than Rajarshi ( 5540 Kg ha-1) and 24.20 percent higher than the national check Bio.9637( 6123 Kg ha-1). In Rabi season, it recorded 8761 Kg ha-1 grain yield which was 19.60 percent and 29.45 percent higher than the checks Rajarshi (7326 Kg ha-1) and Bio.9637 (6768 Kg ha-1), respectively. Overall QMH-1025 recorded 27.20 percent higher yield ( 8183 Kg ha-1) over the check Rajarshi (6433 Kg ha-1) and 26.95 percent over the national check Bio.9637 (6446 Kg ha-1) in Kharif and Rabi season. The maize hybrid is released under the name ‘Phule Maharshi’ for Kharif and Rabi season for Maharashtra State in 2016.