An Overview of Registration of Maize Genetic Resources in India

Plant genetic resources are the bed rock of any crop improvement programme. Applied breeding programme emphasizes selection within elite germplasm sources to enhance the opportunities of developing genotypes superior to those currently available. Indigenous as well as exotic germplasm constitute important resources for addressing serious breeding issues, viz. increasing genetic variability, improving the derived populations for specific traits especially biotic and abiotic stresses or even yield, enhancing quality and eventually broadening the genetic base of present-day cultivars. Maize inbreds are used extensively in hybrid production as seed parents and pollinators and represent a fundamental resource for studies in genetics, breeding and molecular biology. The improvement programmes target breeding of several lines with desirable traits some of which show potential in varietal development. But many lines which otherwise possess several desirable traits remain either as the backup stock with the breeders or are recycled and may even be lost since only the top performing material is promoted for cultivation. In order to motivate the breeders so that cultivar development goes on unhampered, a system has been developed and implemented, in India, whereby a breeder can opt for soft protection of the breeding material, viz. inbred lines, populations, pools, genetic stocks, etc possessing unique combination of traits- agro-morphological, phenological, protein and / or grain quality; resistance / tolerance to biotic/abiotic stresses, etc. Availability of information and material in public domain play a key role in strengthening the efforts in utilizing genetic resources effectively in shaping the crop breeding programmes. Hence, keeping the above in backdrop, an overview of registered plant genetic resources in maize in India has been presented with an objective to identify potential germplasm especially inbred lines with its unique traits available in public domain for exchange and research purposes. An attempt has also been made to identify the future germplasm requirements in Indian public breeding programmes.