Stability for grain yield and other traits in tropical maize (Zea mays L.) under heat stress and optimal conditions

Abstract

Twenty four newly developed maize hybrids along with three commercial checks were evaluated for their yield performance at three locations under heat stress and optimal conditions. Pooled analysis of variance revealed significant differences among hybrids for grain yield. Mean sum of squares due to environments and linear component of environments were significant for all the traits studied. Whereas, mean sum of squares due to hybrids × environment interactions and linear component of hybrids × environment interaction were significant only for grain yield indicating the diversity among the selected environments. Based on the stability parameters, the hybrids, VL 107 × VL128 (0.97) and ZL 1110175 ×VL 1033 for days to 50 % anthesis, ZL 14501 × VL 1032 for days to 50 % silking, VL 1011 × VL 1033 for anthesis silking interval and ZL 11953 × VL 1032 for grain yield were identified as stable as they recorded regression value nearer to unity and non-significant deviation from regression.