MIDDLE MATURING MAIZE HYBRIDS ‘ZERNOGRADSKY 354 MV’ AND ‘GEFEST MV’

Abstract

A long use of the hybrid in production often results in the loss of immunity to the diseases. Climate change and growing needs of the farmers also demand a consistent improvement of maize hybrids. Therefore a constant renewal of the range of domestic maize hybrids is a necessity of successful competition with foreign hybrids. The middle maturing maize hybrid ‘Zernogradsky 354 MV’ was hybridized by I.G. Kalinenko All-Russian RI of Grain crops (ARRIGC) together with All-Russian RI of maize (ARRIM) and the new hybrid ‘Gefest MV’ was received in ARRIGC. According to the time of their vegetation, they are the principle hybrids for the south of the Rostov region. These hybrids are adapted to soil-climatic conditions of the Rostov region; they are universal for economic use (for grain and for silage). In dry years the average grain productivity of the hybrid ‘Zernogradsky 354 MV’ was 3,85 t/ha and it of the hybrid ‘Gefest MV’ was 4,52 t/ha. The potential productivity of the hybrids was 10,0-11,0 t/ha, the average productivity of the green mass was 29,3-30,6 t/ha in dry years. The hybrids are tolerant to droughts and main maize diseases, typical for the region. The hybrid ‘Gefest MV’ showed a high resistance to lodging with prolonged standing with a root. The hybrid ‘Zernogradsky 354 MV’ is characterized with a high content of starch in grain (71,4%), therefore the grain is a valuable raw for starch-syrup industry. The hybrid seed-growing is conducted on a sterile cytoplasm of Moldavian type of CMS with a full restoration of fertility. The average yield of the seeds is 2,0 t/ha on the plots of hybridization