Maize production set to skyrocket with drought-tolerant hybrids

摘要

New maize varieties featuring a suite of improved traits are expected to increase the area grown to this increasingly useful crop. Under the Grains Research and Development Corporation-supported maize enhancement programme led by Queensland Departmentof Primary Industries and Fisheries breeder Ian Martin (pictured), new hybrids are showing improved drought and heat tolerance, increased disease resistance, greater adaptability to environments across Australia and higher yield. The programme has released commercial hybrids, including ones for the higher rainfall humid environments of northern Queensland and has more yield and disease improvements in the pipeline.