This volume highlights advancements in maize cultivation, including breeding, genetics, biotechnology, crop protection, agronomy, and value addition. It addresses challenges like climate change, nutritional enhancement, and sustainable farming to secure maize's role in food security and economic stability. This book also explores the use of wild relatives for climate resilience, molecular markers in breeding, value-added products, hybrid seed demand, and maize as a biofuel source.
Aimed at academicians, students, researchers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, it bridges research and application, offering strategies to address agricultural challenges. It serves as a resource for advancing maize cultivation and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1_ Maize History: Production Trends and Maize Based Systems in India .- Chapter 2_ Maize Biology and Reproductive Mechanisms .- Chapter 3_ Harnessing Wild Relatives for Climate Resilience in Maize .- Chapter 4_ Seeds of Success: The Legacy of Conventional Maize Breeding .- Chapter 5_ Molecular Markers in Maize Breeding: Past, Present and Future .- Chapter 6_ Next-Generation Maize: Tailoring Traits with Accelerated Breeding .- Chapter 7_ Leveraging Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Big Data in Maize Breeding .- Chapter 8_ Specialty Corns Shaping the Future of Peri-Urban Agriculture .- Chapter 9_ Maize Nutritional Enhancement Through Biochemical Interventions .- Chapter 10_ Designing Future Maize Through Biotechnological Innovations .- Chapter 11_ Pathological Insights: Disease Resistance and Management in Maize .- Chapter 12_ Entomological and Genetic Interventions for Sustainable Pest Management in Maize .- Chapter 13_ Optimizing Agronomic Practices for Sustainable Maize Production .- Chapter 14_ Soil Management for Sustainable Maize Production .- Chapter 15_ Advancements in Machinery Solutions for Sustainable Maize Cultivation Across Different Agro-Ecologies .- Chapter 16_ Smart Maize Farming: Enhancing Precision Agriculture .- Chapter 17_ Fodder Maize and Silage: Enhancing Fodder Security and Dairy Productivity .- Chapter 18_ Maize to Ethanol: Pathways to Sustainable Biofuels .- Chapter 19_ Value-Added Maize Products as Healthy Future Choices for Fast Food .- Chapter 20_ Linking Innovations and Farmers: Upscaling Maize Production and Understanding Market Trends in India .- Chapter 21_ Public-Private Synergy: The Success Story Behind India's Hybrid Maize Seed Production .- Chapter 22_ The Future of Maize: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities.
About the Author :
Dr. Mukesh Choudhary is a scientist at ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, India. He holds a BSc in agriculture from Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, an MSc in genetics from Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi and a PhD from the University of Western Australia. His research focuses on genetic improvement for productivity, quality, and climate resilience using genomics. He contributed to maize hybrids like Pusa Vivek QPM9 Improved, India's first provitamin-A-rich maize hybrid, and identified heat tolerance genes in wheat. He has successfully published over 50 research articles.
Dr. Pardeep Kumar is a scientist at ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, India. He earned his BSc in agriculture from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, MSc in genetics and plant breeding from Chandra Shekhar Azad University Of Agriculture & Technology, and PhD from Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India. He developed the CMS-based baby corn hybrid IBCH 402 and contributed to multiple maize hybrids. His research focuses on climate resilience using wild species of maize. He has over 25 research publications.
Dr. Bhupender Kumar is a senior scientist at ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, India. He earned his BSc in agriculture from Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya and MSc and PhD in genetics from Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi, India. He developed 12 maize hybrids, with six licensed to private companies. His research includes molecular studies on stress tolerance and quality traits in maize. He has published over 55 articles and received honors such as the NAAS Associateship.
Dr. Shankar Lal Jat is currently working as a senior scientist at ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, India. He holds a BSc from Rajasthan Agricultural University, an MSc from Chandra Shekhar Azad University Of Agriculture & Technology, and a PhD from IARI, India. His research spans conservation agriculture, precision input management, and maize crop production. He has contributed to developing over three dozen maize hybrids. With more than 125 publications, he has received various awards including including NAAS Associateship.
Dr. P. Lakshmi Soujanya is a senior scientist at ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research. She earned her BSc, MSc, and PhD from Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, India. Her work focuses on host-plant resistance, plant-insect interactions, and integrated pest management in maize. She has contributed to developing maize hybrids and published over 30 articles.
Dr. Hanuman Sahay Jat is the Director of ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research. He earned his BSc from Rajasthan Agricultural University and MSc and PhD from Indian Agriculture Research Institute, India. His career spans roles at CSWRI, ICAR-CSSRI, and CIMMYT, Mexico. His research focuses on soil salinity, plant nutrition, and sustainable agricultural systems. With over 150 publications, he has received awards including the FAI Golden Jubilee Award and ICAR-CSSRI Excellence Award.
