Development and Evaluation of Promising Popcorn Hybrids Developed from Local and Exotic Germplasm |

Popcorn is one of the earliest types of field corn and is primarily consumed as a snack. Egypt currently has no locally registered popcorn hybrids, hence all of the country's demands are met by imported hybrids. As a result, developing indigenous popcorn hybrids is critical. Eighty-six potential yellow F1- hybrids were created at Nubaria research station (30°54' N, 29°30' E) maize programme, Field Crops Research Institute, ARC, Egypt, using local and exotic material. These hybrids were divided into two groups (A and B), and each one, together with two exotic hybrid checks, was examined under irrigation in 2019 at two separate locations in Egypt, one in the north and the other in the south. The goal of this study was to assess these potential hybrids for grain production, days to mid-silk, plant height, late wilt disease resistance, and two quality traits: popping volume and percentage of unpopped kernels. The researchers utilised a randomised complete block design with four replications. All technical maize production recommendations were followed. All analysed traits showed highly significant differences between tested hybrids, with the exception of the number of wilted plants in experiment A. Five hybrids from trial A and two hybrids from trial B were chosen. 11, 12, 17, 20, and 28 hybrids from trial A, and 15, 33 hybrids from trial B. Because most selected hybrids were of Serbian provenance, the results suggested that germplasm of Serbian origin was more useful to the national popcorn breeding programme than germplasm from other sources. Before submitting selected hybrids to the Variety Registration Committee, they must be evaluated in numerous areas.

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