Object: the elements of seed production system of maize hybrids: the processes of growing, harvesting, post-harvest processing and storage of seeds; control and assessment methods of seed quality; productivity of hybrids and their parental components; cultivation economics, market relations in the field of maize seed and grain production. Methods: general scientific: laboratory, field, molecular genetic, mathematical and statistical. Some general scientific methods - dialectical, hypothesis, synthesis, induction. Results: Based on the results of many years of research, the principles of seed production of maize hybrids have been formed, which include technical and technological practices of cultivation, harvesting, processing and storage, as well as an innovative seed quality control system and its indexed evaluation. Technical and technological practices include: agrotechnical schemes for different hybrid biotypes with use of selective herbicides and biologics; the harvesting methods; processing and storage regulations optimized with the state and varietal characteristics of hybrids, which generally increases the yield of conditioned seeds by 6-9% at the standard initial grain moisture of 30%. The innovative seed quality control system includes the indicators and methods used at different stages of seed production, which allow to produce the conditioned seeds in accordance with regulations of DSTU 2240-93 and international requirements. The indexed evaluation of conditioned seeds of maize hybrids allows to select the most qualitative and productive seed material with laboratory germination of 96–100%, growth rate - 85–100%, seed vigor of 83–96%, which provides a yield increase of 0.5–0.8 t/ha. Molecular genetic certificates of 180 new maize lines were resulted from the SNP genotyping. They are used in selection practice and have perspectives as reference samples during state registration of maize hybrids and parental forms; the certificates are used to control and conservation of varietal seed qualities in seed production, and for copyright protection. Novelty: features of plant growth and development, and also formation of maize hybrids and parent components productivity under the various agrotechnical methods of cultivation and crop protection products (soil-applied and post-emergence herbicides, biologics) was established, safe agents and doses of application were determinated. The productivity of maize hybrid parent components was established, it was found that trilinear and modified single cross hybrids provide the most sustainable seed production. It was defined that the biotic and abiotic factors at the harvesting, post-harvest processing and storage stages effected on the quality of maize hybrid seeds depending on harvesting moisture, maturity group and varietal characteristics. An innovative seed quality control system in maize seed production was developed on the basis of current and additional quality indicators, as well as their determination methods. Specific features of distribution of genetic distances between genotypes of different maize germplasms were determined; certificates of new perspective lines based on molecular genetic markers of single nucleotide polymorphism were developed The quality rationing of conditional seeds of maize hybrids on separate indicators was theoretically substantiated. This allows to select sowing material with higher field germination and plant productivity. Branch – Agriculture.
