SUMMARY

 

The expression of genetic yield potential of the observed ZP maize hybrids grown in macrotrials in Bijeljina, Šamac and Banja Luka in the period 1998-2000 was analysed.

Drought has been very often accompaning maize production for the last ten years. The year of 1999 was the most favourable in relation to maize production and during that year the highest maize production of 780046 tons or 4.90 t ha-1 was obtained in Republika Srpska. The last year (2000) was the least favourable, hence the lowest maize production was achieved - 300000 tons on the area of 166743 ha.

Results obtained on testing ZP hybrids, in a greater number of locations under various types of field experiments, point to thc fact that the new generation of hybrids developed by the Maize Research Institute, Zemun Poqe, under unfavourable conditions due to pronounced precipitation deficit, was more superior than its predecessors. Furthermore, great adaptability and tolerance to stress conditions of growing and production, as well as, high yielding potential were achieved.

The average yields for all three locations in the investigation period amounted to: ZP 360 (7.48 t ha-1), ZP 434 (7.49 t ha-1), ZP 490 (7.59 t ha-1) and ZP 488 (7,47 t ha-1) (medium early maturity hybrids), i.e. ZP 539 (8.38 t ha-1), ZP 570 (7.76 t ha-1) and ZP 580 (9.10 t ha-1) (medium late maturity hybrids), The use of 55-80% of genetic yielding potential in practice provides possibility to engage all subjects in maize improvement programmes: science, practice and also the end-user, i.e. a maize grower.

 

          Key words: yielding potential, drought, hybrid, macrotrial, year.