Breeding: 

• Development of  high yielding  Single cross maize hybrids with tolerance to pests  and diseases   

• Development of speciality corn hybrids (Sweet corn, QPM and Popcorn)
• Maintenance and nucleus seed production of parental lines of hybrids and composites
• Seed production technologies for maize parental lines and hybrids

Agronomy: 

• Balanced nutrient management for pre-release maize hybrids
• Standardization of population densities for pre-release maize hybrids
• Weed management in maize
• Studies in maize based cropping systems 

Entomology:

• Evaluation of maize germplasm against  major pests of maize
• Management strategies to control  insect pests of maize 

Pathology:

• Evaluation of maize germplasm against  post flowering  stalk rots
• Management of diseases in maize

• Development of high yielding multiple resistant single cross maize hybrids in field and specialty corns
• Breeding for climate resilient maize hybrids with high starch content suitable for bioethanol production
• Quick development of inbreds through production of doubled haploids
• Development of sustainable technologies for biotic and abiotic stress management 
• Latest seed production technologies for maize

Infrastructure Facilities Available

• Lab facilities available for entomology and pathology

The Maize Research Centre at Rajendranagar, Hyderabad has made significant contributions to maize improvement by developing and releasing a series of high-performing hybrids and composites since 1961. A total of 14 hybrids and 3 composites have been released through CVRC and SVRC, including notable ones like DHM 117, DHM 121, and the latest Telangana-specific hybrids such as DHM 206, DHM 182, DHM 211, DHM 213, and DHM 218 with high yield potential (up to 10.5 t/ha), moderate resistance to major pests and diseases, and suitability for both rainfed and irrigated ecologies across multiple states. Specialty corns such as sweet corn (‘Madhuri’, ‘Priya’), popcorn (BPCH 6), and QPM (Amber Shakti) have also been developed. Commercialization of maize hybrids from 2014–2025 has seen 45 instances, with DHM 117 and DHM 121 widely adopted. Breeding advancements include the development of 80 elite double haploid lines, identification of 55 post-flowering stalk rot-resistant lines, and six charcoal rot-resistant lines. Beneficial endophytes such as Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus stercoris, and Burkholderia spp. were identified for plant health. Agro-technologies developed include weed and pest management strategies (e.g., flubendiamide for pink stem borer, IPM and biopesticide-based FAW control), sensor-based nitrogen management, and disease control packages for charcoal rot. The Centre received several prestigious awards, including the “Outstanding AICRP Centre” award (2017), best performance in breeder seed production and commercialization, Best Research Station Award (2022), and an appreciation award from World Food Prize laureate Dr. S.K. Vasal for the release of DHM 206 (2024).

Station In-Charge (Name & Designation):Dr. Ravipati Susheela,  Principal Scientist, Maize Research Unit, ARI, Rajendranagar

e Mail id: mrcari@pjtau.edu.in

Mobile Number : 8333818245