PRODUCTION AND SOME QUALITY INDICES VARIATION IN CORN - CASE STUDY IN FARM CONDITIONS

Abstract

The study comparatively analyzed the production results and the values ​​of some quality indices for two corn hybrids, in the specific crop conditions of the Western Plain of Romania. Corn crops was carried out in the area of ​​Grabaț locality, Timis County, Romania. Corn hybrids P9889 and DKC5092 were cultivated, in a non-irrigated system, between 2021 and 2023. Adequate plant growth conditions were ensured through crop technology. In the case of the P9889 hybrid, the productions were 8500 kg/ha (2021), 5350 kg/ha (2022), and 11000 kg/ha (2023). In the case of the DKC5092 hybrid, the productions were 7900 kg/ha (2021), 5800 kg/ha (2022) and 10800 kg/ha (2023). Based on mean grains samples, the crude protein content (CP) showed values ​​between 8.5% (year 2021) and 10.05% (year 2023); the starch content (ST) presented values ​​between 54.09% (year 2021) and 59.04% (year 2023); the crude cellulose content (crude fibers, CF) presented values ​​between 1.99% (year 2021) and 2.25% (year 2023); the proportion of broken grains (BG) showed values ​​between 0.98 (year 2023) and 1.3% (year 2022), with an mean value BG = 1.10%. A very strong positive correlation was recorded between CP and M (r = 0.955), between ST and M (r = 0.900), and between ST and CP (r = 0.989). Very strong negative correlation was recorded between Y and BG (r = - 0.926). A strong, positive correlation was recorded between CF and Y (r = 0.834), and between CF and M (r = 0.865). According to PCA, PC1 explained 60.307% of variance, and PC2 explained 39.693% of variance. The decrease in production in 2022 (extremely dry year), compared to the mean value, was DY = -2933.33 kg/ha for the P9889 hybrid, respectively DY = -2366.67 kg/ha for the DKC5092 hybrid. From the analysis of the obtained values, the hybrid P9889 recorded a greater decrease in production (difference of 566.66 kg/ha) compared to the hybrid DKC5092, under the conditions of 2022, specific to the study conditions.