eResource for DUS characterization of maize varieties and inbreds

eResources are becoming more popular in various field particularly in distance education system as well as in agriculture field. The paper presents the use of eResources in agriculture for protection of maize varieties and selecting the most similar varieties for testing the new inbred/hybrid /composite in maize. To identify similar maize variety and inbred, an eResource has been evolved on ‘DUS Characterization of VPKAS Maize Varieties and Inbreds’ developed by ICAR-Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora, Uttarakhand. It provides the DUS characters of 43 genotypes (21 inbreds, 12 hybrids and 10 composites) along with photographs on leaf angle, leaf sheath, kernel shape, ear shape, tassel angle, anthocyanin pigmentation on glume, silk colour and type of grain of each variety. It also provides the information on passport and distinguishing characters of each maize variety and inbred, key for identification of each notified maize variety and inbred, and grouping of maize varieties and inbred on the basis of essential DUS characters. This system intended to help the user for the selection of most similar maize variety and inbred for growing out the DUS trials. This electronic format proves useful to maize workers and various stakeholders including seed certification officials.