Performance Evaluation of Eighteen Grain Corn Varieties Cultivated in BRIS Soil
Nur Khairani, A. B. *
Industrial Crops Research Centre, MARDI, Bachok-16310, Bachok, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Mohamad Bahagia, A. G.
Industrial Crops Research Centre, MARDI, Seberang, Perai-13200, Kepala Batas, Pulau, Pinang, Malaysia.
Mohd Nazri, B.
Industrial Crops Research Centre, MARDI, Bachok-16310, Bachok, Kelantan, Malaysia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In Malaysia, grain corn is mostly used as poultry feed. Grain corn is an important crop that plays a major role in the food, feed, and seed industries. This study aims to evaluate and identify the best hybrid va with high yield, wide adaptability, and high stability when cultivated in BRIS soil for recommendation to growers or farmers. The field experiment was conducted in MARDI Bachok with BRIS soil type. All 18 hybrid lines' performances were evaluated based on yield, days to 50% pollen shed, plant height, total cob number, cob weight with husk, and cob weight without husk. This study used modified basic agronomic practices in terms of planting and maintenance of grain corn in the field. The result showed that dry yield production does not show a significant difference between the 18 hybrid varieties tested, but these results are mostly the highest compared to cultivation in Kelantan, Malaysia, over past years. Days to 50% pollen shed, plant height, ear placement height, cob girth, cob weight with no husk, and core weight showed a significant difference between all grain corn hybrids tested. Out of 18 hybrids, DK9979C and P4554 variety showed higher yields (12.9 tons/ha) compared to others. Meanwhile, variety GWG111 had the lowest yield (8.4 tons/ha), whereas the rest of the variety had a moderate yield (average 9 to 11 tons/ha). These results indicate that BRIS soil can potentially be used as an alternative for high-yield production.
Keywords: Grain corn, hybrid, BRIS soil, yield performance, poultry feed