COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL SEED QUALITY AND FIELD PERFORMANCE OF SINGLE-, THREE-WAY AND DOUBLE-CROSS HYBRIDS OF TROPICAL MAIZE GERMPLASM

Limited information is available on the comparative field performance of the conventional maize hybrid types as influenced by the seed qualities. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the different types of conventional maize hybrids for seed quality and agronomic traits and determine the relationship between the seed quality and agronomic traits of the maize hybrids Fifteen maize hybrids consisting of five varieties each of single, three-way and double cross hybrids were evaluated for seed quality and agronomic traits at the Seed Science Laboratory and Teaching and Research Farm of Obafemi Awolowo University, respectively. Single cross hybrid was observed to have the highest germination percentage and lowest germination rate index, while the double cross has the lowest number of abnormal seedlings and conductivity values. The double cross maize hybrid had higher ear height compared to the single and three-way hybrids of maize. The single cross maize hybrid had higher ear length compared to three-way and double hybrids of maize. In conclusion increased germination percentage and reduced germination rate index resulted to increased ear height in the early cropping season while in the late season reduced shoot dry weight and root fresh weight resulted into increased ear number.