A New Waxy Corn Hybrid Cultivar, “Ilmichal” with Good Eating Quality and Lodging Resistance

A single cross, Ilmichal, is a waxy corn hybrid (Zea mays L.) developed by the maize breeding team at the National Institute of Crop Science (NICS), RDA in 2005. This hybrid, which has white kernels, a good eating quality, lodging resistance and high yield of ear weight, was produced by crossing two inbred lines, KW51 and KW35. KW51 is the seed parent and KW35 is the pollen parent of Ilmichal. Ilmichal was 18.8 cm in ear length and 4.5 cm in ear diameter. The ratio of kernel set length/ear length was 95%, higher than that of a check hybrid, Chalok 1. It is resistant to Biporalis maydis (Southern corn leaf blight) and Exserohilum turcicum (Nothern corn leaf blight). Lodging resistance of Ilmichal was very excellent. The yields of Ilmichal in fresh ear weight were 44%, higher than those of a check hybrid, Chalok 1, in regional yield trials for three years. Seed production of this hybrid has gone well due to good match during crossing between seed and pollen parents. It is adaptable to the whole country.