Influence of Genotype × Environment Interaction on Yield Stability of Maize Hybrids with AMMI Model and GGE Biplot

Abstract

Maize yields perform differently in different environments, so the selection of suitable genotypes in diverse environments is essential for variety selection to enable better site-specific planting. Hence, the objective of the study was to estimate the productivity of 11 maize hybrids (G) in 10 different environments (E) and select high-yield and stable varieties for adaptive cultivation in 2022 and 2023. The combined analysis of variance showed that G (4%), E (50%), and their interaction (31%) had a significant effect (p < 0.01) on maize yield, with E factors contributing the most. In addition, the average yield ranged from 9398 kg/ha to 10,574 kg/ha, and ZF-2208 and DY-519 performed relatively well in both years. The AMMI model showed that the varieties DY-213, DY-605, and DY-519 had high and stable production in 2022, whereas it was ZF-2209 and LX-24 in 2023. The “W-W-W” biplot showed that DY-519 and JG-18 were the optimal varieties in 2022, and ZF-2208 and ZF-2210 were optimal in 2023. The “mean vs. stability” biplot indicated that JG-18, DY-605, and DY-213 (in 2022) and ZF-2208, LX-24, and ZF-2209 (in 2023) were the optimal varieties. Additionally, both the discrimination and representative biplot and the ranking biplot reflected that BinChuan and ShiDian (in 2022) and GengMa and YongSheng (in 2023) were the ideal test environments. In conclusion, DY-519, DY-605, ZF-2208, and LX-24 hybrids could be used for variety promotion. Moreover, BinChuan, ShiDian, GengMa, and YongSheng were the ideal test environments for selecting varieties. Therefore, the AMMI model and GGE biplot can be used to complement each other for a comprehensive evaluation of maize yield. In this way, excellent maize hybrids with high yield and stability can be selected, which could promote the selection and popularization of varieties and shorten the breeding process.