Evaluation of maize F1 hybrids’ tolerance to low soil nitrogen using various selection indices
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Abstract
Background and Objective: Traditional breeding methods often prioritize yield-centric indices for assessing genotypic stress tolerance, overlooking the nuanced contributions of other traits. This study introduced the Selection Index based on Trait Points (SIP), a comprehensive approach incorporating all measured traits under stressed and optimum conditions. The study aimed to identify low-nitrogen (N) tolerant maize hybrids and evaluate SIP’s efficacy in stress tolerance assessment.
Methodology: A total of 237 maize hybrids resulting from line × tester crosses and three hybrid checks were evaluated under low- and optimum-N conditions in Zaria, Nigeria, during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. The trial employed a 15 × 16 alpha lattice design with two replications. Thirteen selection indices were used to assess various aspects of hybrid performance, including yield potential, yield stability, and low-N tolerance level.
Main Results: Genotypic and environmental factors significantly influenced grain yield and other traits under both N conditions. Top yielders in low-N were SMLW-74 × SAM50M (5,742 kg/ha) and SMLW-146 × IITA1878 (5,129 kg/ha). In optimum-N, hybrid SMLW-147 × IITA1878 recorded the highest yield (8,155 kg/ha), demonstrating a 28.7% yield advantage over the best check. Tolerance Index, SIP, and Mean Productivity exhibited significant (P < 0.01) strong positive correlations with grain yield under optimum-N conditions. At the same time, most selection indices displayed positive correlations with grain yield under low-N conditions. Hybrids SMLW-146 × IITA1878, SMLW-147 × SAM50M, and SMLW-74 × SAM50M showed promising performance across multiple screening indices, indicating their potential tolerance to low soil-N.
Conclusion: SIP proves to be both representative and discriminating, making it the ideal selection index for selecting maize hybrids with consistent and superior yield performance under contrasting environments. Hybrids SMLW-147 × SAM50M and SMLW-146 × IITA1878 are recommended for further evaluation in multi-locational and on-farm trials for potential commercialization in Nigeria.
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