Next-Generation Maize Research

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.

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.