Maize is an important commodity in Nusa Tenggara Barat province as it has a strategic role in meeting the food needs of the people and the demand of feed industries in the region. However, raising productivity to meet the growing demand for maize requires the use of hybrids with high yield potential. This paper examines the potential yield of hybrids of harapan grown in dryland agro-ecosystems. Research was carried out in Perigi village—the centre of dryland maize production—in Suela subdistrict of Lombok Timur during the 2005/2006 rainy season. Fourteen hybrids were tested using a randomized complete block design with four replications. The tested hybrids were relatively similar in plant height and ear length. For control purposes, Bima-1 and BISI-2 hybrids were also used. The findings reveal that of the 14 tested hybrids, six were higher yielding than the controls, including Nei92002/Mr4 (9.22 t ha-1), Mr4/B11-209 (8.95 t ha-1), G193/Mr4 (8.53 t ha-1) and B11-136/Mr14 (8.30 t ha-1). Despite these encouraging results, the authors note that these hybrids need to be tested further for wider adaptation before they are released commercially.

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