Research on Selection of Several Maize Hybrids Developed by the NARDI Fundulea
for Productivity, Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency,
in Different Environments

Daniela Horhocea¹, Horia Lucian Iordan¹, Cătălin Lazăr¹, Alina Laura Agapie², 
Gergely-Andrei Smit³, Monica Tanc⁴, Alin Ionel Ghiorghe⁵

¹National Agricultural Research and Development Institute Fundulea
²Agricultural Research and Development Station Lovrin
³Agricultural Research and Development Station Livada
⁴Agricultural Research and Development Station Valu lui Traian
⁵Agricultural Research and Development Station Brăila

Keywords: maize, hybrid, productivity, stability, water use efficiency, nutrient use efficiency.

Abstract: Water and nutrient use efficiency in maize refers to the plant's ability to convert available resources into biomass and, ultimately, into grain yield. These efficiencies vary depending on genetic (hybrid), agronomic (water availability, planting density, cultivation practices), and environmental factors.
Maize has high water requirements, particularly during certain phenological stages such as anthesis, grain formation, and grain filling. Nutrient use efficiency especially nitrogen use efficiency is essential for maximizing productivity and reducing environmental impact. It is influenced by genetic factors, soil fertility, the type and timing of fertilizer application, and crop management practices.
This study aimed to evaluate a set of maize hybrids under different ecological and technological conditions during the 2024-2025 period, focusing on yield level and stability. to select maize hybrids with superior adaptability and high efficiency in water and nutrient use.
The biological material consisted of 20 maize hybrids, 19 of which were developed at INCDA Fundulea, while one served as a competitive control. The hybrids were tested under nitrogen fertilization, both in non-irrigated and irrigated conditions across five locations with different pedoclimatic conditions: at NARDI Fundulea, ARDS Brăila, and ARDS Valu lui Traian (under both non-irrigated and irrigated conditions), and at ARDS Lovrin and ARDS Livada (under non-irrigated conditions).
Under non-irrigated conditions, the average yields of the experimental hybrids ranged from 5,578 kg/ha (HSF11936-19) to 8,430 kg/ha (HSF1142-17), with an experimental mean of 7,450 kg/ha. Under irrigated conditions, average yields ranged from 9,428 kg/ha (HSF2141-22) to 11,875 kg/ha (HSF1089-17), with an experimental mean of 10,840 kg/ha.
The superior performance of the hybrids HSF11467-19, HSF10935-19, HSF2213-22, HSF1142-17, and HSF2016-22 was confirmed by their stability selection indices, which ranged from 13.61 to 13.02.