Development of a new maize hybrid for the Ecuadorian lowland

Yellow maize ( Zea mays L. var. indurata) is mainly produced in the Ecuadorian lowlands (less than 1,200 m a.s.l.), primarily for feed production. Although Ecuador has recently increased maize production, new genotypes are needed for self-sufficiency and in order to avoid costly imports. Maize is sown mostly from December to January during the rainy season. However, the irregularity of rainfall has become a constraint on production. “INIAP H-603 Superior” is a new single-cross maize hybrid developed for the Ecuadorian lowlands with improved yields, which could contribute to domestic food security. The new hybrid had an average yield of 8.48 t ha-1 with outstanding performance under the rainfall, sustained moisture, and irrigation conditions, outperforming the commercial hybrids INIAP H-602, DEKALB-7088 and INIAP H-553. Additionally, the new hybrid showed tolerance to the principal foliar diseases: leaf blight ( Exserohilum turcicum ), rust ( Puccinia sorghi ), and leaf spot ( Curvularia lunata ), as well as good adaptability and stability, with a regression coefficient ( bi ) of 0.98 when it was evaluated in 29 locations from 2010 to 2013. The greatest yield potential of the new hybrid (10.82 t ha-1) was obtained with irrigation during the dry season.