Potential of early maturity flint and dent maize hybrids at higher altitudes

Abstract

There is a growing trend in production of early maturity maize hybrids as far north and on higher altitudes as possible, even in regions where they were not previously cultivated. Thus, an increased demand at the global market for early maturity maize hybrids of FAO 100 and 200 is present. These hybrids are able to mature under not so favourable temperature conditions. The experiments were performed in Planinica - central part of Serbia at 650 m above sea level, during four years (2001-2004). Nine Zemun Polje (ZP) dent and nine flint hybrids of the FAO 100 and 200 were observed. The highest average grain yield (7.19 t ha(-1)) was recorded in 2002 and it was also high in 2004 was (7.18 t ha(-1)), while in the remaining two years, yields were significantly lower (6.50 t ha(-1) - 2001 and 4.32 t ha(-1) - 2003). In more productive years two dent hybrids: ZP 290 (9.90 t ha(-1) in 2002) and ZP 251 (10.22 t ha(-1) in 2004) gave highest yields, while under less favourable weather conditions two flints ZP 114 (7.45 t ha(-1) in 2001) and ZP 125 (5.40 t ha(-1) in 2003) were most productive. Flint hybrid ZP 115 (7.22 t ha(-1)) was the highest yielding, on average. Also, high average yields were observed in two dent hybrids ZP 290 (7.10 t ha(-1)) and ZP 248 (6.88 t ha(-1)), and one flint ZP 246 (7.09 t ha(-1)). Thus, these four early maize hybrids were characterized as genotypes of high yielding potential.