Yield performance and stability of maize hybrids of different maturity groups in multiple environments in Nigeria
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background and Objective: Maize production in Nigeria faces challenges due to environmental stresses such as drought, heat, low soil fertility, pests, and diseases, compounded by regional variability. This study aimed to identify high-yielding early and extra-early maturing hybrids with stable performance for potential commercialization in Nigeria.
Methodology: 20 early and 19 extra-early maturing hybrids, along with two local checks, were evaluated across six locations over two years (2016 and 2017) in Nigeria using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected for grain yield, flowering traits, growth traits, and aspect ratings.
Main Results: Significant (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) genotype, environment, and interaction effects were observed for grain yield in both maturity groups. Early maturing varieties had longer days to maturity, higher plant and ear heights, and greater grain yield than extra-early maturing varieties. Hybrids EYH-17 and EYH-21 had the highest yields (4,263 and 4,183 kg/ha) among early maturing hybrids, with yield advantages of 12.2% and 10.1% over the check. For extra-early maturing varieties, hybrids EEYH-54, EEYH-41, and EEYH-25 produced yields over 4,000 kg/ha, with yield advantages of 19.8% to 29.2% over the check. Lapai 2016 and Ilorin 2016 were the most discriminating and representative test environments for both maturity groups. GGE biplot analysis identified EYH-17 and EEYH-25 as the most stable hybrids with the highest mean grain yield. The principal component analysis highlighted flowering time, plant height, and ear height as primary contributors to variability in maize hybrids.
Conclusions: Hybrids EYH-17 and EEYH-25 are recommended for on-farm evaluation to confirm their yield potential and facilitate their commercialization in Nigeria. Lapai and Ilorin are ideal test environments for selecting superior hybrids with broad adaptation. Flowering time, plant height, and ear height should be prioritized in breeding programs to enhance maize breeding value.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Aboderin, O.S., F.A. Bankole, M. Oyekunle and G. Olaoye. 2023. Yield stability and inter-traits relationships of maize hybrids under low- and optimum-nitrogen conditions. Agriculture (Poľnohospodárstvo) 69(4): 171–185. https://doi.org/10.2478/agri-2023-0015.
Badu-Apraku B., M.A.B. Fakorede, M. Gedil, A.O. Talabi, B. Annor, M. Oyekunle, R.O. Akinwale, T.Y. Fasanmade, I.C. Akaogu and M. Aderounmu. 2015. Heterotic responses among crosses of IITA and CIMMYT early white maize inbred lines under multiple stress environments. Euphytica 206(1): 245–262. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-015-1506-0.
Badu-Apraku, B., R.O. Akinwale, A. Menkir, K. Obeng-Antwi, A.S. Osuman, N. Coulibaly, J.E. Onyibe, G.C. Yallou, M.S. Abdullahi and A. Didjera. 2011. Use of GGE biplot for targeting early maturing maize cultivars to mega-environments in West Africa. Afr. Crop Sci. J. 19(2): 79–96. https://doi.org/10.4314/acsj.v19i2.69858.
Bankole, F., O. Olajide and G. Olaoye. 2023. Performance and yield stability of quality protein maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids under rainfed condition. Agriculture (Poľnohospodárstvo) 69(2): 66–76. https://doi.org/10.2478/agri-2023-0006.
Bankole, F.A, G. Olaoye and E. Adeyemo. 2015. Evaluation of genotype x year interaction in extra-early maturing maize hybrids in a typical Southern Guinea Savannah Ecology. Agrosearch 15(2): 73–92. https://doi.org/10.4314/agrosh.v15i2.7.
Bello, O.B., S.Y. Abdulmaliq, S.A. Ige, J. Mahamood, F. Oluleye, M.A. Azeez and M.S. Afolabi. 2012. Evaluation of early and late/intermediate maize varieties for grain yield potential and adaptation to a Southern Guinea Savanna Agro-ecology of Nigeria. Int. J. Plant Res. 2(2): 14–21. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.plant.20120202.03.
Eberhart, S.A. and W.A. Russell. 1966. Stability parameters for comparing varieties. Crop Sci. 6(1): 36–40. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci1966.0011183X000600010011x.
Francis, T.R. and L.W. Kannenberg. 1978. Yield stability studies in short-season maize. I. A descriptive method for grouping genotypes. Can. J. Plant Sci. 58(4): 1029–1034. https://doi.org/10.4141/cjps78-157.
Gambín, B.L., L. Borrás and M.E. Otegui. 2007. Kernel water relations and duration of grain filling in maize temperate hybrids. Field Crops Res. 101(1): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2006.09.001.
Hussain, N., M.A. Nadeem and A. Aziz. 2010. Response of maize varieties under agroecological conditions of Dera Ismail Khan. J. Agric. Res. 48(1): 59–63.
Hussain, N., M.Y. Khan and M.S. Baloch. 2011. Screening of maize varieties for grain yield at Dera Ismail Khan. J. Anim. Plant Sci. 21(3): 626–628.
Ifie, B.E., N.A. Kwapong, M. Anato-Dumelo, B.A. Konadu, P.B. Tongoona and E.Y. Danquah. 2022. Assessment of farmers readiness to adopt maize hybrid varieties for high productivity in Ghana. Acta Agric. Scand. B Soil Plant Sci. 72(1): 506–515. https://doi.org/10.1080/09064710.2021.2018032.
Jain, S.K. and P.R. Patel. 2016. Principal component and cluster analysis in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Forage Res. 42(2): 90–95.
Kamara, A.Y., N. Kamai, L.O. Omoigui, A. Togola, F. Ekeleme and J.E. Onyibe. 2020. Guide to Maize Production in Northern Nigeria. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Konate, L., B. Badu-Apraku, M. Coulibaly, A. Menkir, M. Nasser Laouali, S. Meseka and W. Mengesha. 2023. Agronomic performance and yield stability of extra-early maturing maize hybrids in multiple environments in the Sahel. Heliyon 9: e21659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21659.
Mafouasson, H.N.A., V. Gracen, M.A. Yeboah, G. Ntsomboh-Ntsefong, L.N. Tandzi and C.S. Mutengwa. 2018. Genotype-by-environment interaction and yield stability of maize single cross hybrids developed from tropical inbred lines. Agronomy 8(5): 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy8050062.
Matongera, N., T. Ndehlela, A. van Biljon and M. Labuschagne. 2023. Genotype × environment interaction and yield stability of normal and biofortified maize inbred lines in stress and non-stressed environment. Cogent Food Agric. 9(1): 2163868. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2022.2163868.
Ndoli, A., F. Baudron, T.S. Sida, A.G.T Schut, J. Van Heerwaarden and K.E. Giller. 2019. Do openpollinated maize varieties perform better than hybrids in agroforestry systems? Exp. Agric. 55(4): 649–661. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479718000297.
Ni, C., S. Zhang, G. Zhang, J. Cheng and H. Zheng. 2019. Evaluation of edible quality of sorghum based on principal component analysis. J. Chem. 2019: 2013109. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2013109.
Olakojo, O.O., F. Bankole and D. Ogunniyan. 2021. Correlation, regression and cluster analyses on yield attributes and popping characteristics of popcorn (Zea mays L. everta) in derived savanna and rainforest agro-ecologies of Nigeria. Acta Agric. Slov. 117(3): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.14720/aas.2021.117.3.1625.
Olaoye, G., F.O. Takim, Y.A. Abayomi, A. Lawali, I.U. Abubakar, N.H. Kura, F. Bankole and T.S. Bubuch. 2017. GGE biplot analysis of cane yield in sugarcane progenies at advanced yield trials in the savannah ecologies of Nigeria. Trop. Agric. (Trinidad) 94(2): 132–140.
Oliveira, T.R.A., H.W.L. Carvalho, E.F.N. Costa and J.L.S. Carvalho Filho. 2017. Correlation among adaptability and stability assessment models in maize cultivars. Aust. J. Crop Sci. 11(5): 516–521. https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.17.11.05.p304.
Oluwaranti, A., M.A.B. Fakorede and F.A. Adeboye. 2015. Maturity groups and phenology of maize in a rainforest location. Int. J. Agric. Innov. Res. 4(1): 124–127.
Oyekunle, M., A. Haruna, B. Badu-Apraku, I.S. Usman, H. Mani, S.G. Ado, G. Olaoye, K. Obeng-Antwi, R.O. Abdulmalik and H.O. Ahmed. 2017. Assessment of early maturing maize hybrids and testing sites using GGE biplot analysis. Crop Sci. 57(6): 2942–2950. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2016.12.1014.
Pacheco, A., M. Vargas, G. Alvarado, F. Rodríguez, J. Crossa and J. Burgueño. 2016. GEA-R (genotype × environment analysis with R for Windows). Version 2.0. CIMMYT, El Batan, Mexico.
Pedersen, I.F., J.T. Christensen, P. Sørensen, B.T. Christensen and G.H. Rubæk. 2022. Early plant height: A defining factor for yields of silage maize with contrasting phosphorus supply. Soil Use Manage. 38: 537–548. https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12697.
SAS. 2008. SAS System for Windows. Release 9.4. SAS Institute, Cary, North Carolina, USA.
Steel, R.G.D. and J.H. Torrie. 1980. Principles and Procedures of Statistics. A Biometrical Approach. McGraw-Hill Books Co., New York, USA.
Yan, W. and N.A. Tinker. 2006. Biplot analysis of multi-environment trial data: Principles and applications. Can. J. Plant Sci. 86(3): 623–645. https://doi.org/10.4141/P05-169.
Yan, W., M.S. Kang, B. Ma, S. Woods and P.L. Cornelius. 2007. GGE biplot vs. AMMI analysis of genotypeby-environment data. Crop Sci. 47(2): 643–653. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2006.06.0374.
Zobel, R.W., M.J. Wright and H.G. Gauch Jr. 1988. Statistical analysis of a yield trial. Agron. J. 80(3): 388–393. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1988.00021962008000030002x.
