Stability of Yield and Quality Parameters in Maize Hybrids Cultivated at Different Sowing Dates

In the context of ongoing climate change, marked by rising air temperatures and recurrent drought episodes throughout the maize growing season, identifying hybrids capable of optimizing unfavorable environmental conditions to achieve stable yields over time and space has become essential. A field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research and Development Station (ARDS) Turda over five years with varying climatic conditions (2020-2024). The biological material included seven hybrids from different FAO groups developed at ARDS Turda: Turda 248, Turda 165, Turda 201, Turda Star, Turda 332, Turda 344, and Turda 335. The hybrids were sown at three different sowing dates (6°C, 8°C, and 10°C), based on soil temperature recorded at 8 a.m. The results demonstrated significant yield stability in the Turda 332 hybrid. As expected, cultivar responses to different sowing dates varied based on genetic factors. Nonetheless, the importance of sowing maize at the optimal time remains evident. Quality parameters, however, showed variation primarily depending on the genotype.