EVALUATION OF HYBRIDS RECOVERED FROM CORN IN THE BAJIO AREA DERIVED FROM H-3091

Abstract

Aiming to obtain retrieved com (Zea mays L.) hybrids that might overyleld H-309, with better agronomic characteristics and wider adaptability, in such a way that one of them could replace the original hybrid, inbred sublines from each parental line of hybrid H-309 were derived.; this hybrid has good adaptability in the Bajío area under irrigation or good rainfall conditions. Inbred sublines derived from each parental inbred of H-309 female single cross were tested to the H-309 male single cross and viceversa. Selected inbred lines were used to form 225 retrieved double cross hybrids which were yield tested at 11 environments (five years at Roque, Gto., and four years at four locations in the State of Jalisco). Yield tests let us identify 37 retrieved hybrids that overyielded 14%, on the average, H-309. Besides, these new hybrids had a better performance in Jalisco than in Guanajuato; days to pollen shed were similar in both, H-309 and retrieved hybrids, but plant health was better in retrieved hybrids. This fact demonstrate that high
yielding and with better agronomic quality materials could be obtained from commercial varieties, because there is still enough genetic variability which is feasible to use in new specific hybrid combinations.