Maize Hybrids: Mega-Environments in Java Island, Indonesia

Abstract

Identification of grain yields on stable and high yielding maize hybrids in a wide environment requires high accuracy. There were many stability measurement methods used in multi-environment experiments. However, the relationship between each measurement was still difficult to understand. The objectives of this study were to: 1. identified the effect of growing season, location, hybrids (genotypes), and their interactions (GEIs) on grain yields; 2. determined the relationship between each stability measurement; 3. selected the stable and high yielding maize hybrids in a wide environment; and 4. determined favorable (discriminativeness) locations for testing. The field experiment was conducted at eight locations in Java island, Indonesia during two seasons used a randomized completed block design with three replications. The experimental results showed that the main effects of growing season, location, hybrid, and GEIs, had a significant effect on maize hybrid yields. Stability measurements S(3), S(6), NP(2), NP(3), NP(4), and CVi, belong to the concept of dynamic stability that can be used to selected maize hybrids in favorable environments, while other measurements were classified as in the concept of static stability. Two maize hybrids were successfully selected to have high and stable yields based on numerical and visual measurements, namely SC3 and SC9. The two hybrids can be used as candidates for a sustainable maize development program. GJRS and KARS were the most discriminativeness environments. Both can be used as a favorable environment for selecting the ideal maize hybrid.