The improvement of breeding methods of middle-maturing hybrids of maize in Nizhnee Povolzhye

The article considers the results of the ecological trials (2008-2016) among the maize hybrids (FAO 200-249), developed in the different selection centers of Russia. The number of the hybrids (FAO 200-249) participating in the ecological trials was 36-43 due to the voluntary provision of the breeding material for the experiments. The coefficients of asymmetry and excess (kurtosis) of grain productivity, harvest moisture and biochemical indicators are not significant at 5% level, that is, the distribution of parameters is normal. A significant variation of hydrothermal coefficient (0.32-1.1) is an important feature of a long-term study of hybrids by FSBRI RusRIK ‘Rossorgo’. The hybrids were in the similar conditions. A strong decrease of maize hybrid productivity was seen in 2010 because of extreme drought in the second part of vegetation (a period of maize flowering). The period 2012-2016 is characterized with a stable productivity of the standard variety ‘Krasnodarsky 194 MV’ and the best maize hybrids developed in RU of Russia. The best hybrids productivity ranged as follows КС>Кр>По>Во>ЮВ>control (‘Krasnodarsky 194 MV’) >ДП>Фо>Ик>Зе. The harvesting humidity of grain indicates the technological possibility to dry grain of maize hybrids of middle-maturing group, because the real excess moisture can be removed without significant difficulty. The biochemical composition of maize hybrids varied a lot in the trial. The range of the best hybrids in the content of raw protein is ДП>По>ЮВ>Ик>Фо>КС>Во>Зе>Кр> control (‘Krasnodarsky 194 MV’).