COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GRAIN MAIZE HYBRIDS IN THE AGRO-ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF SOUTHERN DOBRUJA

The experiment has been carried out through the period 2017 -2019 in the region of South Dobruja, Bulgaria.The field trials have been conducted in the block method in four replications with the size of the experimental plot -25 m 2 .The tested corn hybrids belong to 3 maturity groups, according to FAO classificationearly, mid-early and mid-late.The experimental fields are located in various regions of the Dobruja region, to cover more soil and climate diversity.Grain yields were averaged over 4 replications, with the values equated to standard moisture of 14% and grain moisture at harvest.The average yields of maize grain obtained in the study area are lower than the national average.This is because corn in Dobruja is grown exclusively under non-irrigation conditions.The lowest yields in the area were obtained from the standard for the early group -Clarica, with all other hybrids far exceeding the standard.Divided into maturity groups, the PR38D89 hybrid is the most productive of the early ones, the PR37N01 hybrid the mid-early and the PR35F38 mid-late.Grain moisture at most points shows a strong upward trend from early to mid-late hybrids, with a positive correlation between productivity and grain moisture.