Earlier studies proved that maize (Zea mays L.) is susceptible to various air- and soil born drought stresses. The main goal of this study was to contribute to develop maize hybrids tolerant to drought and heavy soils. In a short-term greenhouse and successive field tests, we identified 4 tolerant hybrids – three of them for grain – and one additional for silage utilisation. The examined hybrids reached very high grain yield (13 t ha-1) and more than 20 t ha-1 dry weight above-ground yield. Based on the parameters of the selected hybrids, and the conclusions of these experiments, we may select valuable parental lines with elevated tolerance to drought stresses and to marginal, alkaline soils. Our further goal is to involve selected parental lines into our breeding program to develop new hybrids with elevated tolerance to poor soils and dry conditions.

Keywords: Zea mays L., breeding, drought stress, adaptability