Research Article

Evaluation of Elite Candidate Maize Hybrids for Growth and Development Under the Agroclimatic Conditions of Peshawar Valley

Syed Hilal Sardar1, Yousaf Jamal1*, Iltaf Ullah2, Abdul Basir1, Hidayat Ullah1 and Mukhtar Alam1 and Ikramullah3

1Department of Agriculture, The University of Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; 2Agricultural Research Institute, Tarnab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; 3Department of Agriculture, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Received | November 29, 2021; Accepted | July 18, 2022; Published | March 06, 2023

*Correspondence | Yousaf Jamal, Department of Agriculture, The University of Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; Email: [email protected]

Citation | Sardar, S.H., Y. Jamal, Iltafullah, A. Basir, H. Ullah and M. Alam (2022). Evaluation of elite candidate maize hybrids for growth and development under the agroclimatic conditions of Peshawar valley. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, 39(1): 236-241.

DOI | https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.sja/2023/39.1.236.241

Keywords | Maize hybrids, 1000-grain weight, Grain yield, PSHW-201916, PSHW-201915

Copyright: 2023 by the authors. Licensee ResearchersLinks Ltd, England, UK.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Introduction

Maize crop grows almost all over the world. It belongs to family poacea and ranks third after wheat and rice in terms of importance (Ali et al., 2020). Maize is a short day and highly cross-pollinated crop with monoecious nature. Maize crop is cultivated twice a year i.e. summer and spring (Khan et al., 2018). It can be grown at an altitude of 3300 meters above the sea level and its cultivation extends over a wide range of geographical and environmental conditions ranging from 58º N to 40º S (Ullah et al., 2017).

It is a multipurpose crop and adoptive to hot and subtropical places (Husain et al., 2016). Maize is a necessary food for a large number of peoples around the globe, and also used as feed for poultry and animals because it is considered as a good forage crop due to its nutritious stalks (Ali et al., 2020). In Pakistan, where rapid population growth exceeds our gain in cereal production, maize offers the opportunity to fulfill the gap. Increase in maize production can reduce the demand for wheat and hence can help to reduce the dependence on other cereals as well (Khan et al., 2018).

The maize per acre production of the country is very low when as compared to other countries of the globe. For enhancement of maize yield, it is important for breeders to focus on development of high yielding early maturity varieties, which have the potential of disease resistance, responsive to enhanced production practices and the presented cropping pattern and well adoptable to the current environmental conditions (Tahiret al., 2008).

In maize breeding the improvement in grain yield is a pilot objective, and the trait is controlled by yield contributing parameters. Increased production per unit area can be gained by raising superior varieties and hybrids. Normally for the improvement of a crop, genetic variability for various morphological and yield traits is important and can be exploited in the selection program. Partitioning and magnitude of genetic variance in maize are considered of great value for the breeder and act as a guide in choosing germplasm for population improvement (Ihsan et al., 2005).

Keeping in view the above statements, the current experiment was carried out to evaluate ten maize hybrids for various yield related parameters that could be of significant importance in future maize breeding programs for identification of new sources of improved characteristics and possible incorporation.

Materials and Methods

In order to evaluate different maize hybrids of white kernel type for growth and yield attributes the present research was carried out at Agriculture Research Institute Tarnab, Peshawar in kharif 2019. Ten maize hybrids PSHW-201910, PSHW-201911, PSHW-201912, PSHW-201913, PSHW-201914, PSHW-201915, PSHW-201916, PSHW-201917, 30K08 and CS-200 were assessed for relative growth and yield traits under the agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar region. Treatment distribution was accomplished using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The planting was done on ridges with 75 cm row spacing and 25 cm plant spacing, having 20 plants per row and 40 per plot. Before sowing seed were treated with disinfectant Confider 70 WP to avoid soil borne pests. At sowing P2O5 and K2O were applied @ 90 kh ha-1 and 60 kg ha-1 consistantly. In first irrigation cypermethrin was be applied to make the seed safe from pests. Nitrogen application was done in 3 splits i.e. at seedling stage, at knee height stage and at booting stage. Uniform agronomic practices were conducted during the growth period of the crop.

Data were collected on days to 50% emergence, emergence m-2, plant height(cm), ear length (cm), ear weight (g), grains ear-1, 1000-grain weight (g) and grain yield (kg ha-1).

For days to 50% emergence, after seed sowing the number of days was noted till 50% emergence of the crop. The days were totaled in order to tabulate the data. In each sub plot 2 rows having length of 1 meter were considered at random and emerged plants were counted to finalize the data relating emergence m-2. For plant height (cm) data, five randomly selected plants at physiological maturity were measured from base to the tips in each sub-plot and then their means were worked out. The data regarding ear length (cm) were recorded by measuring the ear lengths of five randomly selected ears in two rows and after that their means were found out. To undertake the data regarding ear weight (g), fiver random ears were selected in each row and after weighing these with electric balance their means were found out. After ear weight the grains of the five random cobs in each row were counted carefully and the numbers were divided by 5 to conclude the data for grains ear-1. To finalize the data regarding1000-grain weight (g), in every plot 1000 grains were counted at random followed by weighing with electronic balance. For grain yield (kg ha-1) data, harvesting of three central rows was done in subplots with sickle, and after sun drying were threshed and weighed with electronic balance. The data were then accomplished using the following formula:

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis of the data was performed through significant differences using statistical software Statistix 8.1 and in case of significant results the means of treatments were compared at probability level of p<0.05 using LSD test (Jan et al., 2009).

Results and Discussion

Emergence m-2

Figure 1 presents emergence m-2 of various maize hybrids (PSHW-201910, PSHW-201911, PSHW-201912, PSHW-201913, PSHW-201914, PSHW-201915, PSHW-201916, PSHW-201917, 30K08 and CS-200). A non-significant influence of hybrids on emergence m-2 was clear from the data analysis. However, high emergence m-2 (13.57 plants) was confirmed for PSHW-201915 and lowest emergence m-2 (11.19 plants) was confirmed for CS200.

 

The possible reason for non-significant effect of various maize hybrids on emergence m-2 might be high stand and germination ability of hybrids. Faisal et al. (2015) summarized non-significant influence of various varieties regarding emergence m-2.

Days to 50 % emergence

Days to 50% emergence of hybrids PSHW-201910, PSHW-201911, PSHW-201912, PSHW-201913, PSHW-201914, PSHW-201915, PSHW-201916, PSHW-201917, 30K08 and CS-200 are demonstrated in Figure 2. From data analysis we confirmed non-significant influence of various hybrids on days to 50 % emergence. However, higher value of 7.67 was noted for PSHW-201911, PSHW-201911 and PSHW-201914 as compared to others.

The non-significant effect might be associated with the fact that seedlings mainly depend on food reserved in their endosperm during the stage of germination (Hafidi et al., 2012). These results are similar with conclusions of Azeem et al. (2018) who revealed non-significant influence of maize varieties on days to emergence.

 

Plant height (cm)

Mean values regarding plant height (cm) of maize hybrids are given in Figure 3. From data analysis we observed marked (p≤0.05) influence of maize hybrids on plant height (cm). Highest plant height (245.07 cm) was noted for PSHW-201916 that was statistically at par with 30K08 (243.67 cm). Shortest plant height (210.00 cm) was recorded for PSHW-201910.

 

Increased plant height (cm) by hybrid PSHW-201916 might be due to the genetic distinction of the hybrid. The findings are supported Tahir et al. (2008) who summarized that plant height (cm) was markedly influenced by maize hybrids. Khan et al. (2018) also concluded significant influence of various hybrids on that plant height of maize crop.

Ear length (cm)

Figure 4 shows data regarding ear length (cm) of various maize hybrids. Analysis of variance of the values confirmed non-significant influence of hybrids on ear length (cm). However, maximum ear length of 16.50 cm was recorded for PSHW-201917 followed by CS200 with ear length of 16.47 cm. Similarly, minimum ear length of 14.90 cm was recorded for PSHW-201914.

 

Longer ears in case of hybrid 30K08 might be due to its genetic superiority. The findings are linear with results of Khan et al. (2018) who reported marked variations among hybrids for ear length. Izzam et al. (2017) also summerised marked differences among maize hybrids for cob length.

Ear weight (g)

Data on ear weight (g) are documented in Figure 5. Statistical analysis of the data showed significant (p≤0.05) effect of maize hybrids on ear weight(g). Maximum ear weight of 299.33 g was observed for 30K08 thatwas statistically at par with 298.67 g ear weight for PSHW-201917. Likely, the minimum ear weight of 294.00 g was found for PSHW-201914.

 

Hybrid 30K08 produced heavier ears than the rest. Maruthi and Rani (2015) also found that different maize genotypes performed differently for yield and yield contributing traits.

Grains ear-1

Data pertaining to grains ear-1 of hybrids PSHW-201910, PSHW-201911, PSHW-201912, PSHW-201913, PSHW-201914, PSHW-201915, PSHW-201916, PSHW-201917, 30K08 and CS-200 are shown in Figure 6. Significant (p≤0.05) influence of these hybrids was observed from statistical analysis of the data on the said trait. Our observations revealed maximum grains ear-1 (379.33) for 30K08 while the minimum grains ear-1 (292.00) were obtained from PSHW-201915.

 

Higher number of grains ear-1by hybrid 30K08 might be due to the longest ears of the said hybrid. Our findings are supported by Sesay et al. (2018) who observed significant variations in different hybrids for grain ear-1. Khan et al. (1999) also found that maize hybrids were significantly different for no of grain cob-1.

1000-grain weight (g)

Data concerning 1000-grains weight (g) of maize hybrids are presented in Figure 7. Significant influence (p≤0.05) of maize hybrids on the said trait was evident from statistical analysis of the data. Our findings revealed maximum value (363.00 g) of the said parameter for PSHW-201916 as compared to minimum value of 281.00 g from PSHW-201912.

 

Thousand grains weights (g) is the major yield determining factor. As thousand grains weight (g) is a genetic trait, hence was varied for different hybrids. The findings are in accordance with Tahir et al. (2008) who confirmed significant variations in hybrids for thousand grain weight (g). In maize hybrids evaluation trial Mkhabela et al. (1992) found that Pioneer hybrid had highest 1000 grain weight.

Grain yield (kg ha-1)

Statistical analysis of values revealed that grain yield (kg ha-1) varied markedly (p≤0.05) among various maize hybrids (Figure 8). The data confirmed that PSHW-201916 produced maximum grain yield of 5031.11 (kg ha-1) tailed by PSHW-201914 (4999.11 kg ha-1) when compared with minimum lowest value of 4521.33 kg ha-1 from PSHW-201912.

 

Grain yield is the ultimate goal of a researcher in cereal crops. In the current study, hybrid PSHW-201916 performed the best. This might be attributed to high grains cob-1, and 1000-grain weight of the said hybrid. Jan et al. (2018) also summarized that yield of grain (kg ha-1) was significantly influenced by different hybrids. Ali et al. (2020) also reported significant variations among hybrids for grain yield.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The hybrids PSHW-201910, PSHW-201911, PSHW-201912, PSHW-201913, PSHW-201914, PSHW-201915, PSHW-201916, PSHW-201917, 30K08 and CS-200 were screened on the basis of various growth and yield parameters. The results revieled high emergence m2 for PSHW-201915. More days to 50% emergence were taken by PSHW-201911, PSHW-201911 and PSHW-201914. Similarly, maximum ear length and ear weight were noted for PSHW-201917 and 30K08 consistantly. While significantly maximum plant height (cm), 1000-grain weight (g) and grain yield (kg ha-1), were noted for PSHW201916. So on the basis of best performance regarding economic yield, PSHW201916 is recommended for obtaining maximum grain yield (kg ha-1) under the agro-ecological conditions of Peshawar valley.

Novelty Statement

Hybrids considered in the study are elite candidate and are never evaluated earlier for growth and development traits under the agroclimatic conditions of Peshawar valley.

Author’s Contribution

Syed Hilal Sardar: Project execution and drafting

Yousaf Jamal: Checking of the draft and making necessary amendments

Iltaf Ullah: Project designing

Abdul Basir: Statistical analysis

Hidayat Ullah: Material arrangements and fertilizer management

Mukhtar Alam: Critical review of the draft with amendments

Ikramullah: Pests control and agronomic practices insurance

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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