Stability analysis for grain yield and yield-contributing traits in maize (Zea mays) single cross hybrids under mid hills

Abstract

A study was conducted during 2005–07 to identify the stable crosses of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids for grain yield under diverse agroclimatic conditions. Sixty six single cross hybrids developed in line×tester design were evaluated along with 3 standard checks over 9 environments under irrigated and unirrigated conditions for their yield performance. Data on 10 yield components (days to maturity, plant height, ears/plant, ear length, ear girth, kernel rows/ear, kernels/ row, 100-kernels weight, grain yield/plant, and biological yield/plant) were used to investigate the effects of genotype, environment and G × E on these traits. Highly significant differences were detected among the genotypes and environments for each character. Significant G × E interaction indicated that evaluation of yield components must be taken for different environments. On partitioning these components into linear and non-linear components, both were responsible for expression of the traits. However, the linear component was found larger in magnitude than the non-linear component suggesting that variation in the performance of different cultivars could be predicted. The hybrid combinations ‘L2’ × ‘T3’ and ‘L22’ × ‘T2’ were found to be stable across environment, whereas 2 hybrids ‘L11’ × T1’, ‘L16’ × ‘T1’ were found suitable for irrigated environments for grain yield. For moisture stress environment five crosses ‘L2’×T3’, ‘L3’ × ‘T2’, ‘L15’ × ‘T1’, ‘L19’ × ‘T2’ and ‘L21’ × ‘T3’ were found stable for grain yield. For days to maturity only one hybrid ‘L7’ × ‘T3’ was found stable across environment. Thus these genotypes could be used for commercial cultivation. The stability measures are useful in characterizing cultivars by showing their relative performance in various environments.