Genetic markers associated with drought tolerance in maize

A method for producing a hybrid maize plant with enhanced water optimization, wherein enhanced water optimization is increased yield at standard moisture percentage (YGSMN), the method comprising:

• (a) identifying a first maize plant comprising a first genotype by identifying any one of haplotypes A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I, J, or L, wherein the first maize plant comprises one or more of haplotypes A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I, J, or L;
• (b) identifying a second maize plant comprising a second genotype by identifying anyone of haplotypes A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I, J, or L, wherein the second maize plant comprises one or more of haplotypes A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I, J, or L, wherein the second maize plant comprises at least one of haplotypes A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I, J, or L that is not present in the first maize plant;
• (c) crossing the first maize plant and the second maize plant to produce an F1 generation;
• and
• (d) selecting one or more members of the F1 generation that comprises a desired genotype comprising any combination of haplotypes A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I, J, or L, wherein the desired genotype differs from both the first genotype of (a) and the second genotype of (b), whereby a hybrid maize plant with increased YGSMN is produced.