Genotype × environment interaction and grain yield stability of quality protein maize hybrids under stress and non-stress environments

Abstract

Evaluation of maize varieties under multiple environments, including drought and low nitrogen (N) stressed sites is an important breeding approach, to identify well adapted and stable maize varieties. This study was undertaken to identify new quality protein maize (QPM) hybrids that have good agronomic performance and assess the presence of genotype by environment (G × E) interaction and grain yield stability of QPM hybrids under different environment conditions. Forty-five hybrids, including two QPM, two non-QPM and one local check were evaluated across 34 environments under stress and non-stress conditions in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi during 2018 to 2020. Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) and Genotype main effects plus G × E interaction (GGE) bi-plots were used for stability analysis. Environment, genotype and G × E interaction effects were significant for grain yield and other traits in all management conditions. The top yielding hybrids were 44 (QS7646) 12 (CZH15099Q) under optimum; 14 (CZH15142Q), 44 (QS7646) and 23 (CZH17192Q) under random stress; 9 (CZH142237Q) and 10 (CZH142238Q) under managed drought; and 14 (CZH15142Q) and 34 (CZH17203Q) under low N conditions. Among these, 10 (CZH142238Q) and 14 (CZH15142Q) were the most stable hybrids and can be recommended for release in sub-Saharan Africa to improve food and nutritional security of smallholder farmers who depend on maize. Kwekwe (KWE), Bindura (BIN), Chokwe (CHO) and Bako (BK2) were identified as the most discriminating and representative for optimum, random stress, managed drought and low N environments, respectively and help to identify superior hybrids.

Keywords:

• AMMI
• GGE biplot
• G × E interaction
• grain yield
• quality protein maize

REVIEWING EDITOR:

• Manuel Tejada Universidad de Sevilla; Spain

SUBJECTS:

• Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
• Plant & Animal Ecology
• Soil Sciences
• Food Additives & Ingredients

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), National Agricultural Research System and private seed company scientists and technicians who participated in conducting the trials and data collection at all testing sites. The National Research Foundation is also acknowledged for supporting the thesis work.

Author contributions

This work was conducted as part of BTE’s PhD thesis in plant breeding at University of the Free State, South Africa in collaboration with CIMMYT. The trials were planned and designed by AT, DW and BTE. The first draft of the manuscript was written by BTE and revised the manuscript by MTL. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript for submission.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are included in the manuscript and further inquiries can be forwarded to the corresponding author.

Correction Statement

This article was originally published with errors, which have now been corrected in the online version. Please see Correction (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2024.2355806).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) through the SARChI chairs initiative (UID 84647).