Yield Potential of the Corn Hybrids with Different Maturity Rates in Conditions of the Forest-Meadow Zone of the Middle Urals

In 2019–2023, carrying capacities of the corn hybrids with different maturity rates created by the All-Russia Research Institute of Corn in Sverdlovsk oblast have been studied. In total, 12 corn hybrids with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) requirements of 140–180 have been tested. The soil of the study site is slightly podzolized, heavy loamy dark grey forest soil (Phaeozems). The 5-year average highest dry matter content (32.4–36.1%) in the green mass is characteristic for the 140–150 FAO group, with the K 140 (35.0%) and Mashuk 140 (36.1%) hybrids exhibiting particularly high levels. The 140 FAO group hybrids (K 140 and Nur) are characterized by the highest starch content in dry matter (31.1–30.4%), while it is only 24.7% for the 180 FAO group (Sheehan). On average, over the years of research, the maximum productivity (34.8 t/ha) was detected in the hybrids from the 170–180 FAO group (Mashuk 172 and Shihan), while minimal productivity rates were recorded for the hybrids from the 140 FAO group (K 140 and Mashuk 140, 26.3 and 26.5 t/ha, respectively). With the heat deficit (2019), the highest productivity was detected for the 140–150 FAO group: K 140 (3.88 t/ha), Nur (4.03 t/ha), Mashuk 140 (3.99 t/ha), and K 150 (4.11 t/ha). The 140–150 FAO group hybrids are also characterized by the highest yields of the target component, starch: Nur, K 150, and Mashuk 140 hybrids yielded 2.93, 2.81, and 2.68 t/ha, respectively (5-year-average). In the conditions of the Middle Urals, the hybrids K 140, Nur, Mashuk 140, and K 150, developed by the All-Russia Research Institute of Corn, exhibit the highest yield potential.