Evaluation of Maize Hybrids for Yield and Maturity Traits

Evaluation of genotypes for yield and its associated traits is an essential step towards the development of a crop variety. Crop breeders mostly practice selection for the desired traits to identify superior genotypes. This research was conducted to assess the performance of 20 maize hybrids along with two checks at The University of Agriculture Peshawar during spring 2017 crop growing season. The experimental material was planted in randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant differences among the hybrids were observed for plant height, ear height, days to tasseling, days to anthesis, days to silking, cob length, cob diameter, kernel rows cob^-1, 100-kernel weight and grain yield. Among the hybrids, ZH1610 was observed as the earliest maturing hybrid with minimum days to tasseling (91.7), days to anthesis (93.7) and days to silking (96). Hybrid ZH169 showed maximum cob length (19.5 cm) while ZH1621 produced maximum kernel rows cob^-1 (15.7). Maximum 100-kernel weight (35.0 g) was recorded for CAH153 while hybrid ZH1620 gave maximum grain yield (12412.8 kg ha^-1). The present study revealed ample variation among the hybrids for yield and yield related traits. On the basis of superior performance for maturity, yield and associated traits, hybrids ZH610, ZH169, ZH1621, CAH153 and ZH1620 are recommended for commercial cultivation after multi-location trials and onward utilization in maize breeding programs.