In this study, we aimed at testing four early grain maize hybrids – Severo (FAO270), Kinemas (FAO350), Kornelius (FAO400) and KWS 3381 (FAO450) sowed at two consequent times to define their behaviour in the Banat’s Plain conditions, the SCDA Lovrin area, and determine their production potential. The bifactorial trial was set in the experimental field after the subdivided plot method. The experimental field covers 768.4 m2 and the four hybrids were sowed on six 8-m long lines with three replicas. The area cultivated with a hybrid measured 33.6 m2. We sowed 5-7 cm deep in the soil. The sowing density was 60,000-65,000 harvestable plants per ha, and the row distance was 70 cm. For fertilisation, we used a complex 20:20:0 fertiliser, and we controlled the weeds mechanically, manually and using the herbicides Mustang – 0.5 l/ha and Gat Motion – 1.5 l/ha. During vegetation, we made observations in different pheno-phases – sprouting, blooming, silking, physiological maturation – and we correlated them with the soil and climate conditions. Sowing early maize hybrids in the third decade of April ensures temperatures above 100C and the necessary humidity for germination, resulting in high grain yields (STAS 6739 kg/ha) compared to sowing in the first decade of May (6642 kg/ha). The studied hybrids have a good tolerance to drought and heat, and the grain yields reached Severo 5968 kg/ha, Kinemas 6137 kg/ha, Kornelius 7154 kg/ha, with the most productive hybrid KWS 3381 with 7708 kg/ha. Upon harvesting, mean moisture of grain maize was 8.2-12.0%.

production, sowing time, hybrid

Presentation: oral