Determine the Relationship between the Performance of the Maize Varieties and Their Multi-Environment Status

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is among the main food security crops grown in a wide range of environments in Ghana. The crop grows in a wide range of environmental conditions. In the country, grain yields of maize are considerably affected by genotype x environment interaction (GXE) and other factors. The present study was performed to analyze the genotype by environment (GXE) interaction for grain yield of fourteen varieties (maize hybrids and OPVs) and three inbred lines in three environments located at different agro-ecological zones of Ghana. Grain yield data of the fourteen released varieties with three inbred lines was analyzed using GGE biplot methods were evaluated using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications across three environments (Fumesua, Ejura and Wenchi). The genotype and genotype by environment (GGE) biplot models were used to assess the magnitude of GXE interaction of grain yield among test materials. Results from genotypes and GXE contributed to PC1=79.3% and PC 2= 19% of the total variation of hybrids of this trait, respectively. The present study identified genotypes such as G11 (Abontem), G14 (Dorke SR) and G1 (Entry 5) showing respectively high grain yields of 6.69, 7.17 and 5.33 t/ha across environments showed minimal G X E interaction in that order across environments but with highly susceptible. Hybrids such as G2 (Entry 6) with low grain yields of 4.76 t/ha, G3 (Entry 70) (5.11 t/ha), and G13 (Akposoe) (5.22 t/ha) showed relatively low yields which are useful genetic resources for breeding because of other traits. Experimental hybrids with high grain yield in this study are good candidates for direct production or future hybrid development in Ghana.