This paper deals with the achievements of domestic breeding programs of fodder maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids. This achievements include hybrids that were bred at Smolice – 68, at Kobierzyce – 21 and at Radzików – 4 varieties. In Poland, the first maize hybrid was Wiel-Wi registered in 1957. The first inbred line hybrid was registered in 1967 and it was a double cross hybrid – KB260 – bred at Kobierzyce from 4 foreign inbred lines. Next were IHAR 262 and IHAR 280 – registered in 1971 and 1972, respectively, also double cross hybrids, but created from inbred lines bred at Smolice only. Important stages in development of Polish maize breeding were also years 1977 – registration of the first three way hybrid SMTC 278, and 1994 – registration of the first single cross hybrids Deka and Avia – (all of them from Smolice). Breeding progress was presented as a general combining ability of grain yield of elite inbred lines that were used to create Smolice’s hybrids in years 1971-2006. The real breeding progress in maize breeding program in Smolice was calculated which, expressed as a grain gain from 1 ha, was 59.4 kg per year. Inbred lines S14 and S72, which were included in the formula of hybrid IHAR 262 registered in 1972, as well as the French line F2 which was extensively used 15-20 years ago, created hybrids yielding at a level of 10.0-10.5 t.ha-1 of grain. The newest inbred lines, including S61328, S41324A-2, S63322-3, S68911, S245 and S41796, were able to create hybrids outyielding the former ones by 1.5-2.0 t·ha-1. Present seed market share of domestic maize was discussed as well as prospects for the near future including expansion to foreign markets.

85-91