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Research Article

Yield Performance of Improved Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties Under Rain-Fed Conditions in Golohajo, Gursum District, Fafan Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia

Authors

  • Abdi Husen Meydane Somali Region Livestock and Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 398, Jigjiga, Ethiopia

    meydane069@gmail.com

  • Mohamed Abdirahman Ismael Department of Plant Science, College of Dryland Agriculture, Jigjiga University, Jigjiga, Ethiopia https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9392-5298

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple cereal crop in Ethiopia, yet production remains constrained by limited access to improved varieties, particularly in the Somali Region’s lowlands. To address this gap, a field experiment was conducted during the 2023 cropping season in Gursum Woreda, Somali Region, Ethiopia, to evaluate the agronomic performance of four hybrid maize varieties (MH141, Melkassa-2, BH520, and BH549). The trial followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, with data collected on phenology, growth, yield, and yield components. Statistical analysis (GenStat 18th edition) revealed significant varietal differences in most traits, except days to maturity and ears per plant. BH-520 achieved the highest grain yield (8.95 t/ha), outperforming other varieties, while BH-149 exhibited the longest tasseling and silking periods. The results demonstrate BH-520’s superior adaptability and productivity under local conditions, suggesting its potential for scaling alongside improved agronomic practices to enhance maize production in the region.

Keywords:

Grain Yield Hybrid Maize Maize Variety Evaluation Somali Region

Article information

Journal

Journal of Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Animal Science

Volume (Issue)

2(1), (2025)

Pages

171-175

Published

18-05-2025

How to Cite

Meydane, A. H., & Ismael, M. A. (2025). Yield Performance of Improved Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties Under Rain-Fed Conditions in Golohajo, Gursum District, Fafan Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia. Journal of Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Animal Science, 2(1), 171-175. https://doi.org/10.69739/jaaas.v2i1.482

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