Identification of outstanding maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids for target environments is complicated by genotype ́ environment interactions. Thirty-two early-maturity maize hybrids were evaluated at eight locations in Nigeria and… Click to show full abstract
Identification of outstanding maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids for target environments is complicated by genotype ́ environment interactions. Thirty-two early-maturity maize hybrids were evaluated at eight locations in Nigeria and six locations in Ghana for 2 yr to (i) identify highyielding, stable hybrids across locations and/or hybrids specifically adapted to different locations, and (ii) identify ideal test sites for selection of superior hybrids in the two countries. Genotype, country, year, location (country), and their interactive effects were significant (P < 0·01) for grain yield, days to anthesis and silking, anthesis-silking interval, plant and ear aspects, and ears per plant. Mean grain yield of the hybrids ranged from 3177 kg ha−1 for EWH-5 to 4596 kg ha−1 for EWH-29. The genotype main effects plus genotype ́ environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis revealed that EWH-29, EWH-8, and EWH-30 did not differ significantly in grain yield and were the most stable hybrids in both countries, whereas EWH-26 and EWH-32 were the most stable hybrids only in Ghana. The GGE biplot analysis identified Samaru, Kafin Soli, and Minjibir in Nigeria and Nyankpala, Damongo, and Fumesua in Ghana as the most discriminating locations. Minjibir (Nigeria) and Nyankpala (Ghana), being most discriminating and representative locations, were considered the ideal testing sites for the respective countries. The type of cultivars evaluated determined the most suitable locations for multilocation testing within Ghana and Nigeria. Whereas hybrids EWH-29, EWH-8, and EWH-30 should be suitable for production in Nigeria, EWH-26 and EWH-32 should be promoted for production in Ghana. M. Oyekunle, I.S. Usman, H. Mani, S.G. Ado, R.O. Abdulmalik, and H.O. Ahmed, Institute for Agricultural Research Samaru, Ahmadu Bello Univ., PMB 1044, Zaria, Nigeria; A. Haruna, Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Box 52, Tamale, Ghana; B. BaduApraku, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (UK), Carolyn House, 26 Dingwall 26 Rd., Croydon, CR9 3EE, UK; G. Olaoye, Dep. of Agronomy, Univ. of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria; K. Obeng-Antwi, Crops Research Institute, Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana. Received 21 Dec. 2016. Accepted 7 Aug. 2017. *Corresponding author (moyekunle@abu. edu.ng). Assigned to Associate Editor Manjit Kang. Abbreviations: AEA, average-environment axis; AEC, average environment coordinate; AMMI, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction; ASI, anthesis-silking interval; E, environment; EPP, ears per plant; G, genotype; GGE, genotype main effects plus genotype ́ environment interaction; L, location; PC, principal component; WA, West Africa; Y, year. Published in Crop Sci. 57:2942–2950 (2017). doi: 10.2135/cropsci2016.12.1014 © Crop Science Society of America | 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Published online October 13, 2017
               
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