EVALUATION OF MAIZE HYBRIDS FOR GRAIN YIELD STABILITY UNDER RAINFED AND IRRIGATED CONDITIONS USING GGE BIPLOT ANALYSIS

L. Jankuloski, M. Jankulovska, B. Kuzmanovska, S. Ivanovska, D. Boshev, V. Tanaskovic

Abstract: Stable performance of maize hybrids at a specific growing region is critical for obtaining high and stable yield. The objectives of this study were to evaluate grain yield stability of sixteen maize hybrids from different origin in Ovce Pole region, in rainfed and irrigated conditions during 2009, 2010 and 2011 growing seasons, to graphically summarize the effects of G and GE interaction and to identify “which won where” and to recommend maize hybrids for this specific growing region, using GGE biplot. The GGE biplot was useful in identification that the hybrids 16, 15 and 13 were the highest yielding and consequently the most desirable hybrids for growing in Ovce pole region. Furthermore, it was concluded that high and stable yields could be expected only with irrigation. The hybrid 4 had the lowest seed yield (6910 kg ha-1) and was the least stable across different environments. This technique can serve as a useful tool for recommendation of maize hybrids for specific growing region taking into account the specificities of hybrids and growing conditions.

Keywords: genotype x environment interaction; GGE biplot; maize; stability

Date published: 2017-10-12