Poljoprivreda (Dec 2000)
CORN (Zea mays L.) ADAPTATION STUDIES UNDER IRRIGATED CONDITIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGION OF TURKEY
Abstract
Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey has a great agricultural potential. When the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) is complete, 1.7 million hectare area will be irrigated. Corn has a great importance due to have high-yield and being a secondary crop at GAP region which has suitable soil and climate conditions for corn production. The main goal of this study was to determine the suitable corn varieties for GAP region. This research was conducted with 14 hybrid dent corn varieties at Agriculture Faculty in Şanlıurfa province during the growth season of 1997-1998. At this study grain yield, tassel flowering date, plant height, ear length, kernel number of ear, grain weight of ear, 1000 seeds weight and grain moisture at harvest were investigated. Variance analysis results showed that there were significant differences (P<0.01) in grain yield and yield characteristics among tested varieties. According to the average of two years, grain yield varied between 8.83 (Alimax) and 13.92 (Rx.770) t /ha and grain moisture at harvest varied from 15.81% (Antbey) to 25.92% (P.3394). Antbey had the highest tassel flowering date value (62.3 day) and the lowest value was obtained from C.6127 (55.5 day) genotype. Plant height varied between 190.5 cm (C.6127) and 243.4 cm (Antbey). Ear length ranged from 18.9 cm (Alimax) to 21.8 cm (Tambre). Kernel number of ear varied from 439.0 number/ear (Antbey) to 670.9 number/ear (P.3279). The highest grain weight of ear value was obtained from Rx.770 genotype (239.5 g) and also the lowest value was 162.1 g (Antbey). 1000 seed weight ranged from 328.9 g (P.3279) to 383.0 g (Tambre). All tested varieties gave over 10 t /ha yield except Alimax, Sele and Antbey varieties.