Genotype x Environment Interaction and Stability Analysis in Maize across the Southern Aravalli Ranges of Rajasthan

Abstract

Crop production is the function of genotype, environment and their interaction (GEI) and evaluation of genotypes in multi environments helps to identify their adaptation and stability. The 45 hybrids along with their 18 parents and two check cultivars were evaluated in three environments viz., E1 (Kharif-2019, Instructional Farm, RCA, Udaipur), E2 (Kharif -2019, Agriculture Research Sub-Station, Vallabhnagar, Udaipur) and E3 (Rabi-2019-2020, Instructional Farm, RCA, Udaipur) in randomized block design with three replications at each environment to assess the phenotypic stability of genotypes by using Eberhart and Russel (1968). The mean squares due to genotypes and environments were found significant for all the traits under study indicated inherent genetic differences among the genotypes. The G x E (linear) interaction was found significant for most of the traits under study The mean squares due to pooled deviation were found non-significant for all the traits indicated major portion of the genotype x environment interaction was formed by predictable portion. The majority of the hybrids depicted non-significant deviations from regression (S2di) for grain yield per plant indicated their predictable response across the environments. A great majority of genotypes revealed non-significant non-linear estimates (S2di) for different traits under the study indicated the prediction of stability was more or less accurate and reliable. The top three hybrids suitable for all environments (bi≈1) were EI-2653 x EI-102, EI-2639 x EI-670 and EI-2505 x EI-102 with non-significant S2di values. The hybrids EI-2176-3 x EI-03 (bi<1) EI-2525-2 x EI-03 (bi>1) and EI-2159 x EI-670 (bi>1) out yielded the best check cultivar CC-1. Thus, these hybrids may be used in future breeding programmes of maize after further multi location yield testing.