Preliminary Evaluation of Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids for Grain Yield under Temperate Conditions

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most important cereal crop after wheat and rice. Improving maize production is considered to be one of the most important strategies for food security in the developing countries. The farmers in Kandi areas usually grow their own saved seed which comprises of composites and landraces due to which maize production in the area suffers due to low productivity. Considering this scenario, a number of hybrids were developed in order to improve yield and productivity in order to enhance their income. Hence evaluating the performance of hybrid maize genotypes in terms of yield in specific agro ecology is very crucial for horizontal expansion. The study was aimed to conduct the preliminary evaluation of 12 maize hybrids to determine their grain yields. The hybrids were ranked according to their superiority in yield over check.