Populations of Exotic × Locally Adapted Germplasm - A Potent

Abstract

Experimental indigenous maize hybrids were evaluated in a series of three maize experiments during 2011, 2012 and 2013 to identify superior hybrids for commercial cultivation. Parental inbred lines of these hybrids were obtained from various indigenous populations, including a new improved maize population PSEV-3 which developed by the crossing of a locally adapted variety to an exotic hybrid obtained from CIMMYT and improved through S1 progeny recurrent selection. Two popular commercial hybrids namely, Babar (Public sector hybrid) and one Pioneer hybrid i.e., P-3025 were included as check genotypes. Results revealed that experimental PESV-3 derived hybrids revealed better performance by comparing with three check hybrids for grain yield (11.35 vs. 8.13 t ha-1, 10.67 vs. 9.60 t ha-1, and 11.69 vs. 11.20 t ha-1), thousand grain weight (372 vs. 338 g, 370 vs. 322 g, and 416 vs. 396 g), shelling % (87 vs. 86.2%, 86 vs. 85%, and 87 vs. 90%) and days to flowering (66.3 vs. 73.6 days, 64 vs. 67 days, and 69 vs. 68 days), respectively in three experiments. Three most superior hybrid combinations developed through exotic × locally adapted germplasm were found too much responsive and suggested their further testing through on-farm trials before releasing as commercial hybrids.

Keywords

• commercial hybrid; exotic germplasm; indigenous maize hybrid; improved maize population; zea mays l