The region of Nochixtlan is located in the northwest part of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, in the area known as the Mixteca Alta. One hundred maize populations were collected and evaluated here, among which a pattern was detected in the number of days to female flowering. The populations were grouped into four categories (ultra-late, late, intermediate, and early); the best landrace cultivars were selected in each category and integrated into composites. These composites were tested at three sites during 1993 and 1995, using as checks the best commercial cultivars and the outstanding landraces in each maturity class. Yield potential differed between the test localities and was mainly limited by the availability of water. It was noted that, based on their yields, plant type, and ear, the composites Mixteca Alta Precoz, Intermedio and Tardio (early, intermediate and late) were outstanding at locations of low and medium yield potential. By contrast in the high-potential locality, the composites were surpassed by the commercial hybrids, but still outperformed the superior populations by category of earliness. The conclusion is that the composites Mixteca Alta Precoz, Intermedio and Tardío have outstanding potential for rainfed conditions in the Mixteca Alta region.

Spanish

9802|AGRIS 9702

Jose Juan Caballero

CIMMYT Publications Collection