Comparison study of introduced Du Pont hybrids with local corn varieties

Abstract

A field experiment for corn hybrids cultivation which introduced from American Du Pont Company for seed production in comparison with two local varieties in full season of 2013 at three locations (Al-Tuwaitha and Al-Latifyia, Baghdad and Al-Imam township, Babylon) under three plant densities ( 88 888, 66 666 and 53333 plant.ha-1.). The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of American hybrids in comparison with the local varieties and to assess the exceeded hybrid or variety to be recommended its release, in addition to developing and broadening the genetic base of corn in Iraq.Results revealed the exceeding of all introduced hybrids in almost all traits studied. The hybrid 34N43 was exceeded in early tasseling (48.07 days) with the lowest ear height with 80.93cm, and the highest 17.54 row ear-1. 34N43 was exceeded in grain yield and out yielded 9991 kg.ha-1, whereas the hybrid 32D99 gave the highest plant height 210.07cm. The hybrid 34N84 was exceeded in kernel weight, whereas, the local varieties were exceeded in leaves number and gave 13.8 leaf plant-1 and also exceeded in kernels row-1. Al-Dyar variety gave the highest 35.07 kernels row-1. All traits under investigation were varied according to plant densities. In general, the most important trait which the agronomist and corn breeder attend is the grain yield. Results showed no significant differences in grain yield with the increasing of plant densities, but the positive response was with the increasing it.