Potential of corn hybrids for fresh consumption

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of corn hybrids for grain productivity and fresh produce marketability in two crop seasons. The experiment applied the completely randomized block design with three replications, during 2013-14 and 2014-15 crops. Ten hybrids indicated for the Midwest region of Goiás state were used, namely 2B512PW, 2B587PW, 2B707PW, 30F35HR, 30F53YH, BRS1055, BM3061, P3646H and P3862YH. Hybrid AG1051 was used as control. The studied variables were ear height (EH), unhusked ear productivity (UEP), husked ear productivity (HEP), marketable ear productivity (MEP), marketable ear length (MEL), marketable ear diameter (MED), grain mass (GM), and gross revenue (GR). Records show that hybrid P3646H achieved results lower than the control in all the analyzed variables, regardless of the crop season, whereas hybrids 2B512PW, BRS1055 and P3862YH showed figures similar to AG1051 in 2013/14 crop and lower ones in 2014/15. Therefore, would not represent direct market competitors, as the control hybrid holds a significant share in the domestic market. Hybrids 2B587PW, 30F35HR, 30F53YH and BM3061 presented the greatest suitability for fresh corn consumption, as featured the highest number of favorable traits for that market.