Evaluation of tropical maize hybrids for seed yield and its related traits under heat stress environment (Zea mays L.)

Aims: The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the magnitude of variability that exists among the various genotypes when grown under heat stress environments. The study emphasized on screening maize hybrids under high temperature environments and to know the adaptability of the hybrids to tropical agro-climatic conditions. Study design: Alpha lattice design Place and Duration of Study: Agriculture College Farm, Bheemarayanagudi, Karnataka during the cropping season 2016.Methodology: Forty nine maize hybrids developed and further evaluated under high temperature conditions in alpha lattice design along with three checks. Data was recorded on days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking, anthesis silking interval, plant height (cm), ear eight (cm), cob length (cm), cob diameter (cm), number of kernel rows, kernels per row and yield per plant (g).Results: The results from ANOVA revealed there existed significant differences among the various maize hybrids that were evaluated. The hybrids viz., ZH16848 91 (g/plant), ZH16866 92(g/plant) and ZH16880 91(g/plant) exhibited higher grain yield as compared to other hybrids and also showed reasonable tolerance against high temperature.Conclusion: The present study revealed considerable amount of variation among the tested hybrids that may be exploited in future breeding programs for developing heat tolerant maize hybrids accompanied with other desirable attributes.