Diversity of Himalayan Corn

Abstract

In the last two decades or so, 1,571 maize collections were made from different
parts of the country, particularly from the Eastern Himalyan region and subsequently
classified into 15 races and 3 sub-races, each with characteristics complex of
traits associated with it (Singh, 1977 a, b). Also, over 800 maize collections from
various parts of the country were further added to the above diversity by the
NBPGR since its inception in 1976. Of these, more recently, 617 collections
were made from the Western Himalayan region, particularly from Jammu hills,
Jaunsar and Bhabar region, Pauri Garhwal, Tarai Bhabar regions of Kumaon and
plains of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana; while 280 maize collections were added from
Eastern Himalayan region, particularly from Sikkim and Garo, Khasi and Jaintia
hills in Meghalaya. A rich diversity was observed for the grain character viz. flint,
semi-flint, dent, opaque, floury and pop, which were white, yel