Water loss dynamics in maize hybrids with different genotypes
Tests were made on the water dynamics of water loss in maize at two locations at major maize production areas, Debrecen and Szeged, as a function of the heat sum required up to physiological ripening. The maximum water content was found to vary according to the hybrid and the year. No significant differences were found between the effective heat sums associated with maximum values within a year, the difference being 2-4 calendar days. There was a close correlation between the maximum grain water content and the length of the generative phase for a given hybrid in a given year. Better water supplies (1998) resulted in higher maximum water content values, which indirectly promoted longer and more intensive dry matter incorporation. Of all the environmental parameters, the drying down rate is primarily determined by the temperature. The changes in grain moisture content in a specific hybrid can be characterised by a joint linear graph. The drying down rate of the individual hybrids was determined by examining the b term of the linear equation.