PLBG-6210 Breeding Maize and Millets 3(2-1)

This course is a graduate level of course about maize and millet crops. The course aim is to elaborate the evolutionary pathways of maize and millet crops and different types of maize. It also focuses on breeding methods which are used to improved these crops. The course also explains hybrid maize production and it scope. It enables the students to understand the concepts of heterosis and its significance.

Contents

Economic importance and origin of maize and millets. Types of maize and their significance. Breeding methods: various selection procedures, recurrent selection and development of inbred lines. Heterosis, its significance, genetic basis and exploitation. Combining ability analysis. Hybrid seed production of maize and millets, and use of male sterility. Population improvement and handling of segregating generations. Breeding for biotic and abiotic stresses. Maize and millet improvement through modern biotechnological techniques. Current scenario and future prospects in maize breeding.