The researchers used Lampung podsolic soil to test new maize hybrids developed from local genetic sources. They found that the hybrids performed similarly to a well-known hybrid, Pioneer-36, in terms of growth and yield. The soil was effective in ranking the hybrids based on their performance, showing that the new hybrids could be successful in different soil conditions. This study suggests that these new hybrids have the potential to be as productive as established ones, even in challenging environments.