Abstract

ESPINOSA-CALDERON, A et al. Grain yield of the F₁ and F₂ generations of three-way maize hybrids in the high valleys of Mexico. Universidad y ciencia [online]. 2012, vol.28, n.1, pp.57-64. ISSN 0186-2979.

In Mexico, 25% of improved maize seed and 75% of native seed or improved native varieties (advanced generations of hybrids) are used. The price of the F₁ hybrid seed is the highest in the world, limiting its greater use, for which reason farmers use seeds from their own plots of hybrid seeds. In the high valleys of Mexico, the maize hybrids most planted are the H-50 and H-48. The purpose of this study was to determine the productivity of the F₁ and F₂ generations of the hybrids H-48, H-50, H-153 H-50 AE and H-47 AE. They were evaluated during the 2007 Spring-Summer season in two experiments carried out at the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán (FESC) of the UNAM and the experimental station Campo Experimental Valle de México (CEVAMEX) of the INIFAP. With respect to yield, the combined statistical analysis detected highly significant differences for localities, genotypes and F₁ F₂ generations, as well as for the interaction genotypes x F₁ F₂ generations. Mean yield was 8 560 kg ha-¹ and the coefficient of variation was 18.8%. The mean yield obtained at the CEVAMEX was 10 053 kg ha¹. This was statistically different from that recorded in the FESC where a mean of 7 069 kg ha-¹ was logged. The F₁ generation yielded 9 985 kg ha-¹ on average, which represented 139.9% with respect to the F₂ generation that produced 7 137 kg ha¹. The results indicate that the use of F₂ generation seeds is not convenient due to a decrease in productivity, and that the difference in yield justifies acquiring new seeds every season.

Keywords : Improved seed; productivity; generations F₁ and F₂ generations; Zea mays L..

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