Multi-environmental evaluation of maize hybrids developed from tropical and temperate lines

• Published in: Euphytica Vol. 216; no. 5; p. 84
• Main Authors: Mushayi, Malven, Shimelis, Hussein, Derera, John, Shayanowako, Admire I. T., Mathew, Isack
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.05.2020; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adaptation; Agricultural production; agronomic traits; Agronomy; Analysis; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Corn; Correlation analysis; Crop yield; Crop yields; Cultivars; Environmental science; Genetic aspects; Genotype & phenotype; genotype-environment interaction; Genotype-environment interactions; Genotypes; Germplasm; grain yield; Hybrids; Inbreeding; Lattice design; Life Sciences; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant Pathology; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Povidone; Productivity; South Africa; Stability; Variance analysis; Zimbabwe; South Africa; Zimbabwe; Yield stability; Maize; Broad adaptation; biplot analysis; Multi-locational trial; Genotype × environment interaction
• ISSN: 0014-2336; 1573-5060
• DOI: 10.1007/s10681-020-02618-6

Agronomic performance of maize is subject to genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI), necessitating multi-environment evaluation to identify superior genotypes. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the adaptation range of hybrids developed from crossing tropical with temperate maize lines for improving yield stability and select hybrids with broad and specific adaptation in five sites across South Africa and Zimbabwe. One hundred and seventeen genotypes were evaluated using a 9 × 13 alpha lattice design with two replications. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis showed that effects of genotypes (G), environments (E) and their interaction (GEI) on grain yield were significant ( p  ≤ 0.001). The G and GEI effects accounted for 36.67% of the total variation. Hybrids 18C2542 (mean grain yield 6.12 t/ha), SC727 (7.05 t/ha), SC410 (5.16 t/ha), and 18C2572 (7.55 t/ha) were identified as superior for Potchefstroom, Panmure, Rattray Arnold Research Stations and the AU-DRS mega-environment, respectively. Hybrids 18C2550 (mean grain yield 7.24 t/ha), 18C2578 (7.42 t/ha), 18C2538 (7.12 t/ha) and 18C2546 (7.39 t/ha) exhibited high grain yield and broad stability.t The Africa University (AU) site in Zimbabwe and Dundee Research Station (DRS) in South Africa were clustered in one mega-environment, indicating that they were correlated. The study reveals that hybrids generated from temperate × tropical inbred lines could be useful for replacing currently used poor performing commercial hybrids. The hybrids 18C2545, 18C2577, 18C2578, 18C2546, 18C2550, 18C2579, 18C2535 and 18C2572 exhibited superiority over commercial hybrids and were recommended for further yield tests and cultivar replacement.