Hybrid Maize Seed Production Yield Associations with Inbred Line Performance in Multienvironment Trials

Abstract

Hybrid maize (Zea maize L.) seed is produced in Argentina from southern Buenos Aires (39°52′ S) to Salta (25°25′ S) provinces. Genotype × environment (GE) interaction in hybrid seed production is barely known, and no agronomic or business decisions are based on GE interactions. The general objective of this paper was to increase the understanding of the GE interaction of female and male attributes associated with hybrid maize seed production. Parent attributes were measured in parent testing trials, and hybrid seed yield data were collected from seed production plots. Subtropical and temperate growing regions (GRs) and production environments (PREs) within the GRs were identified in hybrid seed production areas in Argentina. Hybrid seed yield was highly dependent on female yield in both GRs. Male parent attributes were more associated with hybrid seed yield in subtropical than in temperate GRs, suggesting a higher discriminating power of male attributes where environmental conditions are more stressful. Inbred performance strongly interacts across PREs. Seed companies may choose specific hybrid and PRE combinations to maximize hybrid seed yield and standard salable units. Common parent performance issues may be minimized by having a deeper understanding of genotype × environment × attribute interactions, and selecting those PREs and hybrids where the expression of known issues is minimized. Seed companies may use this approach to minimize the cost of goods sold and production risk.