Effects of agroecological conditions on ZP maize hybrid yield in Serbia

Abstract

Maize hybrid yield is to the greatest extent affected by agroecological conditions and growing technology. The more suitable the maize growing technology, the higher the yield and then the crop can be planted over greater areas. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test ZP hybrids of various maturity groups and find out the top yielding hybrid under different agroecological conditions and identical growing technology, especially the hybrid with the most stable yield. The following maize hybrids were studied ZP 360, ZP 434, ZP 480, ZP 488 (FAO 300-400); ZP 570, ZP 580, ZP 599 (FAO 500); ZP 677, ZP 680 (FAO 600) in six locations (Kanjiža, Sombor, Zemun Polje - dry land farming, Zemun Polje - irrigation, Šabac and Leskovac). The results of the two-year investigation point to greater or smaller variation of yields of the investigated ZP maize hybrids under different agroecological conditions. The hybrids ZP 434, ZP 360 and ZP 677 expressed good general adaptability and stability.