Investigation of maize hybrids grown in Turkey for some agronomic traits

This research was conducted using 123 hybrid maize genotypes in a randomized block design with three replications in Bursa, Karacabey during 2008 growing season. In the study some yield and quality traits were examined. The results indicated significant variations among the genotypes for all traits but the number of ears in plot. The ranges for the investigated traits were as follows: Plant height 203.7-279.8 cm; ear height 55.7-142.3 cm; stalk thickness 18.4-27.2 mm; ear length 17.3-27.6-17,3 cm; ear weight 142.3-428.8gr; ear diameter 40.2-58.2 mm; row number per ear 12-19; the number of seeds per row 34-55; grain moisture at harvest 16-25%; test weight 66.678.3 kg; dry matter content 88.2-91.9%; ash ratio 1.6-3.2%; carbohydrate ratio 52.1-65.7%; oil ratio 3.4-6.8%; protein ratio 8.3-15.1%. Grain yield values ranged between 787.3 kg/da (C.955) and 1626.7 kg/da (Sum1024). The classification tree analysis performed to classify the used genotypes based on the investigated traits yielded six different groups, and 11 genotypes were located in the the group with the highest average yield (1532,1 kg/da). The genotypes in a certain group could be considered as alternative varieties to each other as far as the investigated traits are concerned. Based on the regression tree analysis where grain yield was dependent variable; plant height, stalk thickness, and hectoliter weight were found to be the variables affecting grain yield. In conclusion, under the used experimental conditions, Sum1024, DCK6022, EXB463, Brasco, Cadiz, PR 33V15, PR 31G98, Sum1187, NKARMA, and Sum14491 were found to be the advantageous genotypes in terms of yield as well as quality.Keywords: Zea mays, Genotype, Yield, Quality, Classification Tree, Regression Tree