Numerical taxonomy of Portuguese Tronchuda cabbage and Galega kale landraces using morphological characters

Summary A morphological study was carried out to determine the relationships among Portuguese cole landraces using 58 accessions belonging to: (i) Portuguese Tronchuda cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. tronchuda Bailey syn. var. costata De Candolle, Couve Tronchuda); (ii) Portuguese Galega kale (B. oleracea var. acephala De Candolle, Couve Galega); and (iii) other economically less important coles such as Algarve cabbages (B. oleracea var. capitata L., Couve do Algarve or B. oleracea var. sabauda L., Couve Repolho-lombarda do Algarve). The cole accessions were collected from the growers, studied under field conditions during two consecutive years, and characterized using 46 morphological characters from seedling stage to ripe silique. Morphological data were analysed by numerical taxonomy techniques using UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method Using Arithmetic Averages) and by principal component analysis (PCA). Phenograms based on correlation and distance coefficients showed the existence of 8 main groups (A-H). Five of these groups correspond to Tronchuda cabbage landraces: (A) Couves de Trás-os-Montes; (B) Couves do Minho; (C) Couves from Central Portugal; (D) Couve Portuguesa; (E) Couves from Southern inland Portugal. The three other groups correspond to: (F) cabbages; (G) miscellaneous coles; and (H) Galega kales. Landrace groups are primarily associated with morphological differences among accessions and secondly with accession geographical origin. The interannual character variation did not affect the clustering patterns of the accessions and therefore the stability of landrace classification. PCA was congruent with the landrace groups defined by the phenograms and gave supplementary information on the usefulness of the characters for the definition of the various groups.     

Taxonomy of Portuguese Tronchuda cabbage and Galega kale landraces using morphological characters,nuclear RFLPs,and isozyme analysis: A review

Summary Morphological characters, nuclear RFLPs, and isozyme analysis were used to study the similarity between 32 Portuguese Tronchuda cabbage and Galega kale landraces, and some cabbage cultivars traditionally grown in Portugal. Forty-six morphological characters observed in two consecutive years, RFLP data from 55 nuclear probes, detecting 291 polymorphic nuclear DNA restriction fragments, and allelic frequencies in 21 putative loci, generated by nine isozymes, were analyzed by the unweighted pair group method, using arithmetic averages (UPGMA), in order to present the results in the form of a phenogram. The three methods resulted in different clustering patterns of the 32 cole accessions. Morphological characters gave consistent clustering according to the traditional landrace definition and denomination, producing clear separation between Tronchuda cabbages and Galega kales. RFLPs were unable to separate Tronchuda cabbages from Galega kales and defined five landrace groups corresponding to their geographic origins rather than to their morphological similarities. Isozymes showed poor accession discrimination and an intermediate clustering pattern with some accessions being clustered according to their geographic origins and others according to their morphological similarities. Portuguese Tronchuda cabbages and Galega kales constitute a distinct and relatively homogenous group within Brassica oleracea, sharing the same genetic background. It is concluded that Portuguese coles have evolved independently from a common ancestor to the present cultivated forms. Portugal should be considered as an important region of domestication of specialized leafy coles.     

The nabicol: A horticultural crop in northwestern Spain

Nabicol (B. napus L. var. pabularia) is a traditional crop in the Northwest of Iberian Peninsula (South of Galicia and North of Portugal) where it is grown during the winter season on small farms and gardens using traditional varieties. A collection of 36 populations of nabicol from Galicia (northwestern Spain) was evaluated during 2002 and 2003 in two locations and two growing seasons (spring/summer and autumn/spring) for 28 agronomic and morphological traits. The objectives of this study were to: (i) evaluate a collection of nabicol landraces from northwestern Spain, (ii) determine the suitability of this germplasm as a summer crop and (iii) study the genetic diversity among local populations. Significant differences were observed among populations for most traits. Genotype × environment interaction was significant for most of them. Spring/summer growing season could be recommended for growing nabicol but resistance to Lepidoptera pests attacking Brassica crops should be improved. Most populations had an agronomic value similar to the commercial variety. The most promising variety for horticultural use was MBG-BRS0063, which showed the highest yield. Morphological and agronomic data were subjected to cluster analysis and four groups were defined with a group clustering most populations. The low genetic diversity could be explained because populations were collected in close geographical areas and the selection made by farmers was always for a horticultural use. These results give information about the diversity and breeding value of the nabicol Spanish germplasm, which could be useful in breeding programs.     

Genetic diversity in a germplasm collection of Brassica rapa subsp rapa L. from northwestern Spain

In Galicia (northwestern Spain), Brassica rapa subsp. rapa L. includes turnips, turnip greens, and turnip tops. The objectives of this study are (i) to determine the genetic diversity and morphological resemblances among the B. rapa landraces of northwestern Spain in order to have information relative to the resources preserved, and (ii) to evaluate their agronomic characteristics, considering the three potential products that can be harvested. A collection of 120 landraces was evaluated for 34 morphological and agronomical traits by an augmented design at two locations. Two landraces were the most promising for turnips production (MBG-BRS0183 and MBG-BRS0256), two showed the best characteristics for turnip greens (MBG-BRS0082 and MBG-BRS0184), and three were the most appropriate landraces for turnip tops production (MBG-BRS0143, MBG-BRS0173 and MBG-BRS0401). Landraces were classified into five clusters (A–E) using the Ward–MLM (Modified Location Model) strategy: (A) included plants with the worst agronomic potential, (B) included most of the turnip populations with rosette growth habit, (C) included turnip populations without rosette growth habit, having more vigorous plants than cluster B, (D) gathered the most vigorous local varieties, with the highest early vigor, fresh matter content per leaf, and number of secondary stems per plant, and (E) landraces characterized by their earliness, large flowering periods, high numbers of secondary stems, and large seed weights. As conclusion, landraces evaluated in this work displayed enough variability to differentiate among appropriate populations for each one of the distinct crops. Their classification, using the Ward–MLM strategy, grouped accessions with similar characteristics into homogeneous categories.     

The potential of kales as a promising vegetable crop

Sixty varieties of kale (Brassica oleracea acephala group) from Galicia (northwestern Spain) were evaluated in two locations along with four commercial kale varieties. Data on 26 agronomic and morphological traits and five nutritional traits (crude fibre, acid detergent fibre, crude protein, calcium and potassium) were recorded. The objectives of this work were (i) to know the potential ability of kale as an horticultural crop, (ii) to assess the characteristics of local varieties of Galician kale in order to select those with the highest yield and a good adaptation to obtain improved varieties. In most traits, significant differences between locations were found, while varieties × location interaction was not significant for most of them. Significant differences were found among varieties and a high intravarietal variability was noticed in some traits. Galician kale germplasm displayed variability in the most important agronomic traits. They are characterized by their long cycles, their susceptibility to Lepidoptera pests, their good yield and adaptation to Galician conditions and their high calcium content. Four local varieties (MBG-BRS0468, MBG-BRS0476, MBG-BRS0477 and MBG-BRS0494) were the most promising for vegetal and fodder use. One of them showed the best early vigor (MBG-BRS0366) and two of them were the most resistant to Lepidoptera pest (MBG-BRS0060 and MBG-BRS0223). Kale varieties showed a high crude fibre content, and also a high acid detergent fibre, crude protein and calcium content. The varieties MBG-BRS0106, MBG-BRS0281, MBG-BRS0335 and MBG-BRS0464 could be candidates for future breeding programs since they had a good agronomic performance and a high calcium content.     

Breeding potential of Belgian landraces of leek ( Allium ampeloprasum L. var. porrum)

Western Europe is the world's greatest leek producing and consuming region. Belgium is situated in the centre of Western Europe and can be considered as a genepool of landraces of leek. Although the commercial varieties nowadays take over the successes of Belgian landraces, this paper deals with the breeding potential of the Belgian landraces. Typing the Belgian landraces was done in an observation trial together with 50 cultivars. Clustering analysis revealed that 4 of the Belgian landraces were autumn types, 2 landraces were of the early winter type and another 12 landraces were ranged with 6 commercial varieties to form the most winterhardy group of leek. For the important characteristics leaf colour and senescence resistance, the Belgian landraces were better than most of the commercial varieties. Although, for economically more important characteristics shaft length and some disease resistance they scored low. Finally, in this trial, the Belgian landraces were high yielding, especially in the late season. But also in the early season (harvest in September and November) some Belgian landraces were in the top 10 for yield. At harvest in February 9 of the 10 best yielding winterleeks were Belgian landraces. This proves that the Belgian landraces were well adapted to the soil and climate of this region. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Collard landraces are novel sources of glucoraphanin and other aliphatic glucosinolates

The glucosinolate make‐up of the edible parts of some Brassica oleracea L. crops has been investigated previously, but the leafy‐green collard (B. oleracea var. viridis) remains relatively unstudied on this topic. Due to this lack of information, a collection of US landraces was examined for glucosinolate content of leaves. The specific objectives of this examination were to compare levels of certain glucosinolates among the conserved collard landraces, identify any individuals with a distinct glucosinolate profile and determine the potential of collard as a target for chemoprotective‐based plant breeding. During winter 2010/2011, 81 collard landraces, four other viridis and four collard cultivars were evaluated in the field and harvested leaves were assayed for glucosinolates. In a subsequent study, 19 selected landraces plus the cultivars were included in a repeat trial in 2012/2013. Eighteen collard landraces contained relatively high levels of glucoraphanin in leaves in both years, and three (designated G 32575, G 32580, G 32586 in the US National Plant Germplasm System) were found to contain glucoraphanin in excess of 9.5 μmol/g DM. The examined landraces are rich sources of important aliphatic glucosinolates, previously thought to be most abundant in other B. oleracea vegetables.     

Plant traits associated with resistance to Thrips tabaci in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata)

Thrips tabaci is a major problem in the cultivation of cabbage for storage, as this pest causes symptoms that necessitate the removal of affected leaves from the product. Between cabbage varieties large differences in susceptibility occur. This study aimed to identify plant traits associated with these differences, in field experiments with natural infestation in 2005 and 2006. One factor affecting the amount of thrips damage was the timing of the development of the head. In an experiment with different planting dates especially the early maturing, more susceptible varieties were shown to benefit from later planting. In comparisons of multiple varieties in both years, regression studies showed that more advanced plant development in August and early September increased thrips damage at the final harvest. However, no single plant trait explained more than 25% (2005, Brix) or 48% (2006, compactness) of the variation in thrips damage. Optimal regression models, explaining up to 75% of the variation in thrips damage included Brix and leaf surface wax late in the season, as well as an indicator of plant development earlier in the season, and in 2005 also leaf thickness. The possible role of these plant traits in relation to thrips is discussed.     

Inheritance of internode length,plant form,and annual habit in a cross of cabbage and broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. and var. italica Plenck.)

Summary When an inbred line of cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L., was crossed with an inbred line of broccoli B. oleraceae var. italica, the F₁ progeny were vigorous late annuals. All F₁ × broccoli backcross plants and 92% of the 3260 F₂ plants were annuals, while 40% of the F₁ × cabbage backcross plants were biennials. Annual habit is thus dominant and controlled by more than a single gene. Number of days to bud appearance in annuals varied continuously, and was primarily additive in inheritance. F₁ data suggested partial dominance for lateness but this was not supported by the F₂. Internode length was also continuous in distribution and primarily additive in inheritance, but with some dominance for short internodes in the F₁. Cabbage head forming ability was recessive and multigenic, with 2% of the F₂ plants forming heads, of which none were of commercial type and about half bolted as annuals. There was a significant chi square association between biennial habit and tendency for cabbage head formation. Clasping habit of terminal leaves was recessive to open leaves, multigenic, and associated with both cabbage heading and biennial habit.Technical Paper 4836, Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station; from an M.S. thesis by the senior author.     

Transfer of resistance to race 2 of Plasmodiophora brassicae from Brassica napus to cabbage (B. oleracea var. capitata). II. Meiosis in the interspecific hybrids between B. napus and 2x and 4x cabbage

Summary Meiosis in 14 interspecific F₁ hybrids with three chromosomal levels (triploid, tetraploid, hexaploid; 2n=28, 37 and 55) between Brassica napus L. and 2x and 4x cabbage (B. oleracea var. capitata L.) was studied. The oleracea genome from B. napus maintained close homology with the c genome of cabbage while the campestris genome of B. napus showed partial homology with the c genome contained in the hybrids. Genotypic influence on chromosome pairing was indicated. Structural chromosome differences and spontaneous chromosome breakage and reunion were suggested as causes for the abnormalities which related to the unbalance of the genotypes. The divergence of the genomes of B. napus and B. oleracea and the need for the qualification of the term secondary association were discussed.Contribution No. J. 673, Research Station, Agriculture Canada, St. Jean, Québec.     

Molecular evidence of outcrossing rate variability in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis>

A leafy crop of Brassica napus L. called nabicol has been grown by farmers in northwestern Spain for many years, being an important horticultural product during the winter season. A collection of landraces of a Brassica napus leafy crop called nabicol is kept at ‘Misión Biológica de Galicia’ (CSIC-Spain) which can be used to search for desirable characteristics or to produce new commercial varieties to release in the market. The assessment of the mating system of nabicol landraces is particularly important to carry on adequate breeding and genetic conservation programs. The objective of this work is to estimate the outcrossing rate in nabicol under controlled pollinator conditions using SSRs. Pairs of flowering plants taken from nabicol landrace MBG-BRS0039 were placed in separated isolation cages and bumble bees (Bombus sp.) were released for facilitating the crosses between plants. A seed sample from each plant in the cross was analyzed by SSRs that were polymorphic in the parental population. We found that the crop is partially allogamous and that there is genetic variation for the outcrossing rate among individuals. Several consequences for the maintenance and genetic improvement of the crop are discussed. The existence of genetic variability for this trait is a valuable tool that will allow us to study the genetic mechanisms underlying the mating system of this crop.     

Genetic relationships of Brassica vegetables determined using database derived simple sequence repeats

Sequence databases were screened to identify simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in Brassica oleracea sequences. A total of 512 B. oleracea DNA sequences were screened and 43 potential SSRs were identified. Thirty-six primer pairs were designed to amplify target sequences. Of the 36 primer pairs, six failed to amplify fragments of expected sizes, and 17 primer pairs failed to generate polymorphisms. Thirteen SSRs were used to assess genetic similarity between 54 B. oleracea cultivars, belonging to 3 variteal groups (cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli). Pairwise genetic similarities were calculated for cultivars, and a dendrogram of relationships was produced. All cabbage cultivars were distinguished from each other and clustered in two separate groups. Five cauliflower cultivars could not be distinguished with SSR markers used in the study. Three broccoli cultivars clustered with cauliflower cultivars, and two cauliflower cultivars grouped with broccoli cultivars. The varietal group with the narrowest genetic variation in the study was cauliflower (B. oleracea var. botrytis) followed by broccoli (B. oleracea var. italica) and cabbage (B. oleracea var. capitata) groups. Polymorphism information content (PIC) values and number of alleles produced per marker ranged between 0.25 to 0.86 and 1 to 8, respectively, for database derived SSR markers.     

Utility of pearl millet landraces in breeding dual-purpose hybrids for arid zone environments of India

In pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.), single cross hybrids based largely on exotic germplasm, have found very limited adoption in drought-prone arid regions mainly due to their inadequate adaptation to prevalent extremely harsh agro-climatic conditions. This study tested the hypothesis that the use of restorer parents derived from adapted landrace germplasm could be an alternative strategy in developing suitable hybrids for arid regions. Forty inbred restorer lines developed from two phenotypically diverse landraces were used to develop hybrids evaluated in this study for their performance in five typical arid zone environments between 2003 and 2007. Inbred lines from both landrace populations differed significantly in their combining ability for biomass, harvest index and grain and stover yields. A larger proportion of experimental hybrids, based on selected inbred lines, significantly outperformed the commercial checks for grain and stover yields. Increase in grain and stover yields was achieved primarily due to their higher biomass productivity, with no decline in harvest index. Choice of landrace determined the relative grain and stover productivity of their hybrids. Phenotypic differences observed in parental landraces in tillering and panicle length were also visible in their respective hybrids, indicating that characteristics of landrace parental populations were transmitted in their hybrids.     

Results of crossing Brassica pekinensis (Lour.) Rupr. with B. Oleracea L. Var. Acephala Dc.

Success in obtaining an interspecific hybrid between B. pekinensis and B. oleracea var. acephala was possible through the use of the Chinese cabbage as the seed parent and the use of the growth regulator, N-m-tolylphthalamic acid. The hybrids appeared vegetatively intermediate between the parents except for the inflorescence which appeared more like the kale parent. The F₁ was backcrossed with ease to the Chinese cabbage parent using the hybrid either as the pollen or seed parent. No backcross was made to the kale parent. Segregation in the F₂ was continuous for most characters studied.Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, Journal Article Number 2588.     

Application of isozyme electrophoresis for purity testing and cultivar identification of F1 hybrids of Brassica oleracea

Summary Six isozyme genes were analyzed in seed samples of 65 commercial F₁ hybrids of four horticultural groups of Brassica oleracea (cabbage, Brussels sprouts, sprouting broccoli and cauliflower). Results obtained from electrophoretic assays led to the following conclusions: 1) the electrophoretic test of F₁ hybrid purity was possible in 59 (91%) of the hybrids analyzed, since their inbred parents were apparently fixed each for a different allele in at least on of the loci studied; 2) forty-eight (74%) of the hybrids were individually distinguished by their isozyme phenotype; 3) high levels of segregation in the inbred parents were inferred from the analysis of a sample of seeds of each hybrid.     

Diversity, genetic structure, distinctness and agronomic value of Italian lucerne (Medicago sativaL.) landraces

Eleven landraces belonging to the seven commercial ecotypes of northern Italy, and seven elite varieties, were evaluated with the aims of: (i) comparing landrace and variety germplasm for dry weight (DW, recorded across three harvests spanning over two years) and morphophysiological characteristics; (ii) estimating among-population (s _A ²) and within-population (s _W ²) genetic variances of landrace and variety germplasms; (iii) investigating the interrelationships among traits at the plant and the population levels; (iv) exploring patterns of phenotypic diversity, and the relationships between diversity and environmental variables at landrace collecting sites; and (v) assessing the distinctness of ecotypes. Some 256 or 512 genotypes per landrace, and 128 genotypes per variety, were grown in dense stand in an unreplicated design together with a replicated clone. Compared with varieties, landrace material showed higher total DW (+9%) and DW at the last harvest (+43%), lower (2.5-fold) summer mortality and autumn dormancy (P< 0.01), and similar winter mortality. Landraces exhibited a greater s _W ²value than varieties for all traits except autumn dormancy and number of florets per inflorescence (P< 0.01), with s _W ²always exceeding s _A ²(P< 0.01). The ratio of s _W ²to s _A ²averaged 23.1 for landraces and 6.5 for varieties across eight traits. Frequency of mowing at collecting sites was associated with higher total DW, better persistence, lower summer and winter mortality, larger leaflets and more stems per plant (r≥ 0.66, P< 0.05). Cluster analysis showed that landraces geographically close or belonging to the same commercial ecotype tended to greater similarity. However, one landrace that evolved under very frequent mowing differed greatly from other landraces of the same ecotype. Based on discriminant analysis, two ecotypes may be sufficiently distinct for registration in a sui generissystem, even though they may not meet the criteria for registration under a homegenity requirement     

Line selection for exploiting durum wheat (T. turgidum L. var. durum) local landraces in modern variety development program

Summary Pure line selection for grain yield applied within four durum wheat local landraces (Triticum turgidum L. var durum) was studied in an effort to determine: (i) the agronomic performance of selected line mixtures (bulks) and their value as potential new cultivars, (ii) the effectiveness of pure line selection for grain yield within local landraces and (iii) the correlated selection response of yield components and kernel quality traits. Four local durum wheat landraces were used. Two of them, Mytilini-1 and Mytilini-2 are still cropped in some rural areas of the island Mytilini whereas the other two, Limnos and Mavragani are maintained in the Greek Gene Bank. Following their preliminary evaluation for agronomic performance under current growing conditions, 100 individual plants from each landrace were randomly selected. Selected plants (pure lines) were field evaluated head to row during 1997–98 and 1998–99 growing seasons. Based on grain yield performance, bidirectional selection, high vs low, was practised within each landrace. Thus the five higher yielding lines and their corresponding lower ones from each landrace were identified. Selected lines, with no further progeny testing, were pooled using a balanced seed composite to form the high yielding five line bulk and its respective low counterpart. The resulting 16 bulks (eight high and eight low) along with their four source landraces and two commercial varieties, Mexicalli and Simmeto, used as checks, entered field testing for agronomic performance in two and one location during 1999–00 and 2000–01 growing seasons respectively. Data for grain yield and yield components (1000 kernel weight, number of kernels, and productive tillers) along with kernel quality data (protein content and vitreous) were recorded. Data for grain yield indicated that the landraces studied seemed to be line mixtures, as expected, since they responded to bidirectional phenotypic pure line selection. The high yielding bulks were of interesting agronomic performance, equivalent to or significantly better than that of the commercial checks and are worth further testing as potential cultivars. Selected high bulks of Mytilini 2 landrace significantly outyielded both the source landrace and the commercial checks maintaining the high protein content of the source landrace, which was significantly higher than checks. This performance provides evidence that the within landraces selection of lines combining high grain yield with high protein content seems to be feasible. In conclusion, evidence is presented that genetic variability seems to be available within the landraces studied which could be worth using in breeding programs. Furthermore the simple pure line selection breeding effort undertaken seemed to be effective in developing line bulks with promising performance and worth further testing as potential cultivars.     

Evaluation of French Brassica oleracea landraces for resistance to Plasmodiophora brassicae

A total of 240 kale, 38 cabbage and 126 winter cauliflower French landraces from the B. oleracea genepool of INRA were assessed for resistance to clubroot caused by Plasmodiophora brassicaeWoron. Two French isolates of the pathogen (K and SJ) were used in the experiments under controlled conditions. The reaction of the 126 cauliflower accessions to naturally occurring clubroot was also evaluated in field trials. Kales exhibited considerable variation for expression of disease resistance and high levels of resistance were found in several accessions. In this group, single resistant plants were observed in most of the morphological types and from quite different geographical origins. Cabbage accessions were moderately to highly susceptible to both isolates. All cauliflower populations proved to be highly susceptible to K isolate and moderately susceptible to SJ isolate. In field trials, cauliflowers were also severely infected. Two lines selected from a resistant kale population were highly resistant against a large range of pathotypes of the pathogen. These lines presented a sufficient level of resistance to be directly useful in the breeding program in order to develop cauliflower and broccoli hybrids resistant to clubroot. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Morphological characterization of kale populations from northwestern Spain

Crops belonging to the genus Brassicaare widely grown in Galicia (northwesternSpain). Kales (Brassica oleracea L.convar. acephala (DC.) Alef.) are oneof the most important Brassica cropsin this region where landraces aretraditionally grown by farmers on smallplots for either human or animal food.Fifteen kale populations from northwesternSpain were evaluated in two locations andtwo planting dates (early and late). Theobjectives were i) to study theirmorphological diversity, ii) to determinetheir relationships, and iii) to evaluatetheir morphological and agronomiccharacteristics that could be incorporatedto breeding programs in the future.Significant differences were found amongpopulations for all traits while genotype ×environment interaction was not significantfor most of them. Cluster and principalcomponent analysis were performed todetermine relationships among landraces andto obtain information on the usefulness ofthe characters for the definition ofgroups. The phenogram showed five groups,two groups including most of thepopulations and three small independentgroups. Groups of landraces were associatedwith the geographical origin and withmorphological differences amongpopulations, mainly with the length oftheir vegetative phase: north and earlypopulations (cluster A) and south and latepopulations (cluster B). Morphologicaldiversity was higher in coastal populationsthan in inland populations. As conclusion,the populations evaluated in this workdisplay a wide diversity of traits whichenable us to select and combine someinteresting landraces for important traitsin order to obtain improved varieties.     

Application of the CSM-CERES-Maize model for planting date evaluation and yield forecasting for maize grown off-season in a subtropical environment

In recent years, maize has become one of the main alternative crops for the Autumn–Winter growing season (off-season) in several regions of Brazil. Water deficits, sub-optimum temperatures and low solar radiation levels are some of the more common problems that are experienced during this growing season. However, the impact of variable weather conditions on crop production can be analyzed with crop simulation models. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the Cropping System Model (CSM)-CERES-Maize for its ability to simulate growth, development, grain yield for four different maturity maize hybrids grown off-season in a subtropical region of Brazil, to study the impact of different planting dates on maize performance under rainfed and irrigated conditions, and for yield forecasting for the most common off-season production system. The CSM-CERES-Maize model was evaluated with experimental data collected during three field experiments conducted in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. The experiments were completely randomized with three replications for the 2001 experiment and four replications for the 2002 experiments. For the yield forecasting application, daily weather data for 2002 were used until the forecast date, complemented with 25 years of historical daily weather data for the remainder of the growing season. Six planting dates were simulated, starting on February 1 and repeated every 15 days until April 15. The evaluation of the CSM-CERES-Maize showed that the model was able to simulate phenology and grain yield for the four hybrids accurately, with normalized RMSE (expressed in percentage) less than 15%. The planting date analysis showed that a delayed planting date from February 1 to April 15 caused a decrease in average yield of 55% for the rainfed and 21% for the irrigated conditions for all hybrids. The yield forecasting analysis demonstrated that an accurate yield forecast could be provided at approximately 45 days prior to the harvest date for all four maize hybrids. These results are promising for farmers and decision makers, as they could have access to accurate yield forecasts prior to final harvest. However, to be able to make practical decisions for stock management of maize grains, it is necessary to develop this methodology for different locations. Future model evaluations might also be needed due to the release of new cultivars by breeders.