Larnoo Purple: A High Yielding, Early Maturing, Cold Tolerant Maize Line with High Carotenoid and Protein Content

Abstract

The present study pertains to the development of new maize line Larnoo Purple possessing high yield, early maturity, disease resistance and cold tolerance. Larnoo Purple revealed an average yield performance of 5.6 t ha-1 in station trials that is almost similar to the commercial check variety Shalimar Maize Composite-3. The genotype revealed complete resistance to Turcicum leaf blight, common rust and stem borers. However for cutworms, the variety was found to be moderately resistant. Larnoo Purple due to its tolerance for drought and low temperature stresses, fits well under high altitude rainfed conditions of Jammu and Kashmir. The cob of Larnoo Purple is conical, semi-flint and purple in colour, possessing good grain characteristics. Biochemical profiling of Larnoo Purple revealed that the genotype contains elevated levels of carotenoids, protein, starch and oil over the commercial check variety Shalimar Maize Composite-3. Larnoo Purple has potential to improve the socio-economic conditions of small and marginal farmers in high altitude rainfed temperate agro-ecologies, besides improving their health and nutritional status.