Not AvailableABSTRACT
India achieved food security and self sufficiency in 1970s through adoption of high yielding wheat and rice
varieties on large area. The high yielding varieties were responsive to high inputs and were developed through genetic
intervention. But in case of maize for the first time, the single cross hybrid technology revolution through genetic
intervention happened in USA (1960-1990) and the productivity has increased from 3.5 t/ha to 7.5 t/ha. Whereas, in
India maize production remained stagnant for the last five decades (1950-2000) mainly due to non-adoption of
proven and established technology - single cross hybrid (SCH). However, in India with the introduction of SCH
technology, the productivity has increased from 1.9 t/ha (2007-08) to 2.5 t/ha (2010-11) with average growth rate of
more than 7 % in production, this is the highest growth rate among cereal crops. Further, it has registered more than
6 % in productivity @ 134 kg/ha/annum in India and transformed India as net maize exporter and stopped importing
of maize. Even in USA the productivity remained around 7.5 to 8 t/ha for a decade (1990-1997) in spite of adoption
of 100 % SCH technology with best practices and growing conditions. The further enhancement in yield was achieved
by integration of SCH with novel tools and techniques in 1997. Since then the productivity of maize in USA has
touched 8 to 10.1 (t/ha) during a span of 10-12 years (1997-2010). It is evident that it is not possible to increase the
food by simple genetic manipulation and crop management practices alone under the scenario of shrinking land and
other natural resources. Therefore genetic and biotechnological interventions in maize are one of the best solutions
to ensure food security and national prosperity under changed climate scenarios.Not Availabl
