In South Omo Zone, there are several maize production constraints, among which shortage of high yielder variety and stable improved high land maize variety is the major constraint. The objective of this study was to evaluate and recommend high yield performance of improved high land maize variety for grain yield trait. The study was conducted at highland location for two consecutive years, during 2021/22 and 2022/23 in main cropping season. The trial was laid in RCBD with three replications. The varieties were (Jibat, Wenchi and Koleba) and one local check was evaluated. Data collected on, days to maturity, plant height (cm), number of ear plant-1, ear height (cm) ear length (cm), grain yield (kg) and hundred seed weight (g) were recorded. The varieties were planted in rows with 3 m width and 4m length (12m2) along four rows per plot, 75cm between rows and 25cm between plants. Combined mean squares for the treatments were significant (P< 0.05) for Days to maturity, plant height, ear height and grain yield. However, there were none significant difference (P>0.05) for ear length, cob length, number of ear per plant and hundred seed weight. From the evaluated varieties, the maximum combined mean grain yield was recorded to variety Gibate (6679.35kg ha-1) and the minimum grain yield was recorded to local variety (2272.32 kg ha-1). It could be concluded that, variety Gibate (6679.35kg ha-1) can be demonstrated and popularized to the target area and similar agro-ecologies.
Grain yield; Gibate; Maize; Performance; Variety