Evaluation of maize hybrids under low nitrogen conditions in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) a crop considered as a staple dietary requirement in Zimbabwe and other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, is being hindered by inadequate availability of soil nitrogen, especially with regard to small-scale farmers with no access to nitrogen fertilizer. Thus, evaluating and selecting maize varieties that possess better nitrogen use efficiency will thus be very necessary for the improvement of sustainable maize production under low inputs. For this study, the objective was to identify and evaluate hybrids of maize and its performance, yield and quality under low nitrogen stress. At CIMMYT research station which is in Harare, Zimbabwe, it is where the experiments necessary for the study were done. The trials were done using a design known as an alpha lattice and replicated three times, and thirty hybrids of maize were evaluated under controlled low nitrogen stress. Yield of grain, height of plants and ears (cob), anthesis-silking interval, position of ears, number of ears on each plant, ear rot, moisture content in grain, grain texture, and plant stand were measured. ANOVA was used to analyse the data and the values of mean treatments were measured up using a LSD (Least Significant Difference) test. From the findings of the study, there was a reveal of considerable genetic diversity among the tested maize hybrids for all agronomic and quality traits. Hybrid ZMH22404 registered the highest grain yield at low nitrogen treatment (6.07 t ha⁻¹), thus being more tolerant to nitrogen stress than the other hybrids. Some of the hybrids with high yields even when subjected to nitrogen stress include SC305 and CZH22039. The study also found considerable variation in plant architecture, reproduction, and grain quality traits. This study reveals that hybrid ZMH22404 and other high-yielding hybrids have the potential of performing well under low input systems in Zimbabwe and can be used as genetic materials for future breeding programs.