Genotype-Environment Interaction Studies Over Seasons for Kernel Yield in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract— Forty five single cross hybrids derived from 10 inbred lines of maize were tested for kernel yield across three seasons viz., rabi, summer and kharif adopting AMMI model to assess the G × E interaction and to identify the stable hybrids for kernel yield. Seasons were found to contribute to the variations in performance of hybrids indicating that unpredictable seasonal conditions are one of the constraints in selecting superior and adaptable hybrids. The hybrids viz., BML 6 × PDM 1474, BML 7 × DFTY, BML 15 × PDM 1474, DFTY × Heypool, DFTY × PDM 1452 and Heypool × PDM 1474 across seasons recoded significantly higher kernel yield over general mean. The first two interaction principal components viz., PC 1 (74.00 %) and PC 2 (16.00 %) of GGE-biplot analysis explained 90.00 % of total variation caused by genotype × environment interaction. Hybrids viz., DFTY × Heypool, BML 15 × PDM 1452 and Heypool × PDM 1474 were the vertex hybrids or winners indicating that they are the best performing or responsive hybrids. Summer season was found to be the most discriminating season in culling the unproductive ones and also to save time and expenditure. Kharif and rabi seasons were the most representative testing seasons for kernel yield. Hybrids viz., BML 2 × DFTY, BML 2 × Heypool, BML 6 × PDM 1474, BML 7 × DFTY, BML 15 × PDM 1474, DFTY × PDM 1452, Heypool × PDM 1474 and PDM 1452 × PDM 1474 were more stable as well as high yielding, whereas DFTY × Heypool, BML 15 × PDM 1452, BML 15 × Heypool and DFTY × PDM 1474 were more variable but high yielding. The hybrids BML 6 × PDM 1474, BML 7 × DFTY, BML 15 × PDM 1474, DFTY × Heypool and Heypool × PDM 1474 were located near to ideal genotype with high mean and stability and could be ranked as desirable hybrids for kernel yield