Kousha (KSC 201) an early maturing maize hybrid suitable for different maize growing regions of Iran particularly areas with limited growing season duration and irrigation water

Early maturing maize hybrid KSC 201 is developed from a cross between S61 and K1263/17 inbred lines in 1996. In the semi-final trail in 1997,this hybrid with average grain yield of 11.18 tons/ha was selected as the superior hybrid in comparison with check cultivar. It was evaluated in final test in 2001 and 2002 in six locations and two growing seasons. Combined analysis of variance showed that KSC 201 hybrid with an average grain yield of 9.98 tons/ha per hectare had 1.8 tons per hectare greater than check hybrid (KSC 301), but was not significantly different from Fajr hybrid with average grain yield of 10.25 tons/ha. In 2012, again it was tested in preliminary yield trial in Karaj and Zarghan filed stations with Dehghan hybrid as check cultivar. Results showed that it had average grain yield of 11.85 tons/ha and was superior in comparison with the other hybrids and check cultivar. In 2014 and 2015 it was examined in adaptability trial in 8 locations and two growing seasons. Combined analysis of variance showed that the new hybrid, “Kousha”, with average grain yield of 11.37 tons/ha and suitable adaptability was one of the superior hybrids. Kousha (KSC 201) hybrid and it parental lines were evaluated and identified as moderately resistant to smut and fusarium ear rot. It was also evaluated under farmers’ conditions in two regions of Kermanshah province and showed that this hybrid was at least 30 days earlier than KSC704. It's grain moisture at harvest time, very important factor, was more than 15% less than the check cultivar. Considering its early maturity, it needs at least 4000-3000 cubic meters less irrigated water.