Performance evaluation and selection of new maize hybrids under sole and inter crop production systems

Abstract

Screening of maize genotypes under different cropping systems (sole and inter cropping) is very important to understand the genotypes response for different abiotic and a biotic stress. Nine maize genotypes including the standard check (BH-543) were planted and evaluated at research and farmers' fields in the 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons. Farmers were invited to evaluate the genotypes based on their criteria of selection. Hawassa-Dume common bean variety was used for intercropping purpose in 2012. The genotypes substantially varied for yield and other traits both under sole and intercropping systems. When combined across seasons, the high yielding genotypes, genotype-1 and genotype-5 showed 38 and 37% yield advantage over the standard check. Besides, genotypes markedly varied for their compatibility for intercropping system with land equivalent ratio (LER) <1 for most of genotypes. However, genotype-4 and genotype-8 had LER >1 highlighting the need to evaluate genotypes for intercropping system at early stage of breeding.