Performance evaluation of single-cross maize hybrids for flowering and yield traits

This experiment was conducted at Bharatpur-15, Fulbari, Chitwan, Nepal from 1st Dec 2017 to 9th May 2018 to evaluate the performance of single cross maize hybrids. Eight single cross maize hybrids namely Shresta, Bioseed 9782, Rajkumar, Ganga kaveri, Rampur hybrid-6, RML-86/RML-96, Rampur hybrid-4 and RML-95/RML-96 were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Flowering, yield attributing traits and grain yield were estimated. The results revealed that the hybrid Bioseed 9782 produced the highest grain yield (15.96) followed by Gangakaveri (14.26 t ha-1) and Shresta (12.12 t ha-1 ).The hybrid Bioseed 9782 produced the highest standard heterosis (64.81%) followed by Gangakaveri (47.16%) and Shresta (25.14%). These results suggested that maize hybrids Bioseed 9782, Gangakaveri and Shresta can be commercially grown for higher grain production in Chitwan and similar agro-climatic regions.