Ecological stability and plasticity of maize hybrids in different groups of ripeness

Abstract

Abstract. Ecological stability and plasticity of maize hybrids in different groups of ripeness – Knezha 307, Knezha 435, Knezha 509 and Knezha M625 by the traits grain yield and length of the ear was evaluated. The ecological parameters were determined by using the method of Eberhart and Russell (1966) and of Pakudin and Lopatina (1984). In the period of study (2014-2017) the hybrids demonstrate different plasticity and stability by the examined traits. The results of the analysis of the variances demonstrate reliable differences of the hybrids and the conditions for the two traits and primarily reliable interaction genotype – environment. The variances of the regression Si2 of all hybrids for the trait grain yield reliably differ from their theoretical value which determines them as plastic, i.e. responsive to more favourable conditions of growth. According to the values of bi the hybrid Knezha 435 (bi<1) is stable by the trait grain yield, the hybrids Knezha 307 and Knezha M625 are with values of bi close to one and have relatively medium stability and Knezha 509 with bi>1 is unstable. With reliable values of Si2 for the trait length of the ear is only the hybrid Knezha M625. The ecological stability of the other hybrids was evaluated by the value of the coefficient of regression (bi). Increased stability by this trait is demonstrated by Knezha 435, followed by Knezha 509. Knezha 307 is with medium stability (bi=1.1) by the respective trait.