PAU commercialises maize hybrid with Andhra Pradesh-based firm

Ludhiana, July 11

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here has inked a pact with Andhra Pradesh-based Gourmet Popcornica LLP for licensing of maize hybrid PMH 14.

Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research, and Rakesh Arora from Gourmet Popcornica LLP signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on behalf of their respective organisations.

Dr Surinder Sandhu, in-charge, Maize Section, stated that this was a high yielding hybrid with an average yield of 24.8 (quintal per acre) and matured in 98 days. It was moderately resistant to maydis leaf blight, maize stem borer and fall army worm; and it bore long conico-cylindrical ears having yellow orange flint bold grains with yellow caps, he added.

Dr VS Sohu, head, Department of Plant Breeding, congratulated Dr Sandhu and her team as well as the company for sharing responsibility for the proliferation of the hybrid developed by the PAU.

Dr Khushdeep Dharni, associate director, Technology Marketing and IPR Cell, stated that the PAU was actively engaged in taking the technologies to the masses through the process of commercialisation. He added the PAU-developed maize hybrids were quite popular in the field.

Maize breeders Dr Tosh Garg and Dr Rumesh Ranjan from Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, were also present on the occasion.