DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH YIELD, DROUGHT TOLERANT MAIZE HYBRIDS FOR CENTRAL HIGHLAND PROVINCES

The Central Highlands is one of three main maize regions in Vietnam. Drought could be considered as the greatest reason of reduction in maize grain yield and production, therefore it is necessary to develop drought tolerant maize hybrids with high yield potential. Through testing and demonstration trials, it was found that three maize hybrids named LVN66, LVN092, LVN146 were of well drought tolerance, yield of 9-11 tons.ha-1, 6-30% higher than of popular local hybrids and an increase in economic efficiency by 3-8 million VND.ha-1, accepted by farmers for production development in the Central Highlands and should be developed in the next years.