Proceedings of the Fifth Asian Regional Maize Workshop - Search ...

RESEARCH AN> POTENTIAL OF HYBRID (XHl IN ASIA
Poomsan Si lpisornkosol Y
Abstract
Charoen Seeds Co. is part of the Charoen Pokhan Group and DeKalb Plant Genetics. In 14
years of activity and research, a total of six corn hybrids have been released. This paper
describes the installations the institution possesses in Thailand and where research is being
done throughout Asian countries.
Corn is one of the important cereal crops in this region in addition to rice and wheat.
However, in recent years there has been a surplus of rice production along with a trend of less
consumption of corn as human food especially as living standards improve. Corn is used as a
major feed ingredient for poultry and swine, and in certain areas it has potential use for feed
of dairy and beef cattle. These animal products could be further processed as value added
products either for domestic consumption or export markets. In Thailand, corn production has
been successfully used to replace irrigated rice during the dry season due to limitation on
available irrigation water.
Corn hybrids have been introduced to major corn growing areas in Asia as an important tool
to increase corn production, and have been well accepted in many countries such as China, Japan,
Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, India, and Indonesia.
Corn hybrids which are suitable for these regions should posses the following characteristics:
1. High yield potential
2. Pest resistance
3. Drought stress tolerance
4. Good standabil ity
5. Good grain quality suitable for animal feed (free of aflatoxin)
6. Early maturity to allow an additional crop.
Charoen Seeds Co., Ltd. was established in 1979 as a joint venture between the CP Group of
Thailand and Dekalb Plant Genetics from the USA. The purpose of this joint venture research
company is to develop corn and sorghum hybrids adapted to Thailand and other areas in Asia and
Indochina. The CP Group, which has long experience in agricultural business in this region, will
produce, process, and market seeds while Dekalb Plant Genetics will provide technology and
germplasm for research. Besides the seed business, the CP Group also provides and markets other
related agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and agricultural equipment. During
14 years of this successful joint research, the company has continuously released improved
hybrids as presented in Table 1. Dekalb Plant Genetics, with a long history of corn research,
allows access to germplasm which is available through Dekalb's corn breeding programs around the
world. This germplasm is very useful in developing hybrids with special features and reduces the
time to develop hybrids. Useful germplasm comes from the USA, Argentina, BraZil, MeXico, and
other countries. some of this germplasm can be used directly, while some others require adaptation.
Germplasm from the USA has shown excellent potential for earliness, lower ear placement,
root and stalk quality, and desirable plant type.
OUr research farm is located at Muak-Lek district, Saraburi province in the upper central
region of Thailand with more than 200 rai (32 haY of research land and a fully equipped irriga-
11 Research Manager, Charoen Seeds Co., Ltd., 36 Soi Yenchit, Chand Road, Yannawa Bangkok 10120,
Thailand.
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