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

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.