Effects of agroecological factors and hybrid combinations on seed traits of maize hybrids

Abstract

The present study encompasses the analysis of effects of agroecological conditions (year, location) and hybrid combinations on seed size, relationships between fractions (in %, small vs. large), and germination. The following four hybrids were used in the study: ZP 704, ZP 434, ZP 684, and ZP 666. The analysis covers three years (2010, 2011 and 2013), while 2012 was omitted due to poor production conditions. Furthermore, meteorological factors were also analysed and this analysis shows that years differed in the amount and distribution of precipitation. According to obtained results, the hybrid combination had a crucial effect on observed traits, but effects of agroecological factors over years and locations were also important. The most desirable relationship between small and large seed fractions was detected in the hybrid ZP 704 (88.3% vs. 11.7%). In hybrids ZP 434, ZP 666 and ZP 684, seed quality, i.e. germination was higher in the large fractions, while a quite opposite situation was recorded in the hybrid ZP 704 - small seed fractions had higher germination. Such studies should be continued, because new hybrids are constantly introduced into the production.

Keywords

• seed maize
• seed production
• location
• production year
• germination
• seed fraction