Agronomic Performance and Adaptability of Advanced Highland Maize Hybrids
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v14i7.1827-1839.8652Keywords:
Discriminative , Mega-environment , AMMI analysis , GGE bıplot analysis , CornAbstract
Maize is crucial a cereal, widely grown globally, and has significant potential to improve the livelihoods of millions of people in developing countries. High-yielder and well adapted maize hybrids are a valuable approach to improve productivity. The study was proposed with the objectives of (i) evaluating and selecting the high-performing hybrids in terms of yield and yield-related traits for the highland agroecology of Ethiopia and (ii) identifying representative and/or discriminative highland maize hybrids' testing locations and stable hybrids across environments. During the 2023 cropping season, twenty-seven genotypes and three hybrid checks were evaluated in a row-column design with three replications across six locations. Analysis of variance across locations revealed significant differences in genotype, environment, and genotype-by-environment interaction for all measured traits, except for silking date, plant height, and ear aspect. Hybrids such as 3XH2000090 (10.2 t ha-1) and 3XH2000110 (10.1 t ha-1) were high-yielding with a yield advantage of 16.5 % over the best hybrid checks. The GGE biplot analysis identified hybrids such as 3XH2000051, 3XH2000058, 3XH2000091, and 3XH2000097, which exhibited comparable yield performance across environments. The AMMI analysis also supported this finding, identifying 3XH2000051, 3XH2000091, 3XH2000090, 3XH2000035, and SXH1800174 hybrids with high yield and stability across environments. Considering mean grain yield and stability, these hybrids could be verified and released for wider environments. Adet, Jimma, and Holeta were the discriminating and representative testing environments used to identify hybrids that excel in particular locations. Ambo, Kulumsa, and Haramaya University were highly representative mega-environments. When resources are limited, these representative environments could be used interchangeably to evaluate maize hybrids for the highland agroecologies of the country.
References
Abate, M. (2020). Genotype by environment interaction and yield stability analysis of open pollinated maize varieties using AMMI model in Afar Regional State, Ethiopia. Journal of Plant breeding and crop science, 12(1), 8-15.
Abate, T., Shiferaw, B., Menkir, A., Wegary, D., Kebede, Y., Tesfaye, K., Kassie, M., Bogale, G., Tadesse, B., & Keno, T. (2015). Factors that transformed maize productivity in Ethiopia. Food security, 7(5), 965-981.
Abebe, D. (2023). Min Review of Evaluation of Resistance Reaction of Maize varieties to Exserohilum turcicum (Pass) Leonard and Suggs Causing agent of Northern Corn Leaf Blight. Journal of Food and Nutrition, 2(2), 2836-2276.
Akintunde, A., Olakojo, O., Godonu, K., Olakojo, S., & Ariyo, O. (2025). Yield stability and agronomic performance of late-maturing pro-vitamin a maize in Southwest Nigeria using GGE biplot analysis. Selcuk Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 39(1), 208-228.
Alam, M. A., Rahman, M., Ahmed, S., Jahan, N., Khan, M. A.-A., Islam, M. R., Alsuhaibani, A. M., Gaber, A., & Hossain, A. (2022). Genetic variation and genotype by environment interaction for agronomic traits in maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids. Plants, 11(11), 1522.
Alvarado, G. L., Marco; Vargas, Mateo; Pacheco-Gil, Rosa Ángela; Rodríguez, Francisco; Burgueño, Juan; Crossa, Jose, . (2015). META-R (Multi Environment Trail Analysis with R for Windows) Version 6.04. CIMMYT Research Data & Software Repository Network 23. https://hdl.handle.net/11529/10201
Arunkumar, B., Gangapp, E., Ramesh, S., Savithramma, D., Nagaraju, N., & Lokesha, R. (2020). Stability analysis of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids for grain yield and its attributing traits using Eberhart and Russel model. Curr J Appl Sci Technol, 39(1), 52-63.
Asefa, G., Chibsa, T., Chalchisa, D., Abebe, B., Keno, T., Oli, S., Yadessa, L., Tilahun, B., Garoma, B., & Damtie10, Y. (2024). Stability Analysis and Selection of Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes Using AMMI and GGE Biplot. Al-Qadisiyah Journal For Agriculture Sciences, 14(2), 44-58.
Bedasa, M. D., B. E. Ifie, I. K. A., E. Y. Danquah, & Habtamu, Z. (2022). Genotype‑by‑environment interaction and yield stability for grain yield of quality protein maize hybrids under low and optimum soil nitrogen environments. Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology, 25, 437–450 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s12892-022-00143-7
Belay, F. (2024). GGE biplot analysis for grain yield stability of drought tolerant sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) genotypes in dry lowlands of Ethiopia.
Benard, M., & Charles, L. (2020). Multilocation Evaluation for yield and Yield Related Traits in Three Way Cross Maize Hybrids in Kenya. International Journal of Scientific Research in Biological Sciences 7(1), 72-78.
Beyene, Y., Semagn, K., Mugo, S., Prasanna, B. M., Tarekegne, A., Gakunga, J., Sehabiague, P., Meisel, B., Oikeh, S. O., & Olsen, M. (2016). Performance and grain yield stability of maize populations developed using marker-assisted recurrent selection and pedigree selection procedures. Euphytica, 208(2), 285-297.
Bishwas, K., Poudel, M. R., & Regmi, D. (2021). AMMI and GGE biplot analysis of yield of different elite wheat line under terminal heat stress and irrigated environments. Heliyon, 7(6).
Bocianowski, J., Nowosad, K., & Rejek, D. (2024). Genotype-environment interaction for grain yield in maize (Zea mays L.) using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model. Journal of Applied Genetics, 1-12.
Bocianowski, J., Waligóra, H., & Majchrzak, L. (2024). Genotype by year interaction for selected traits in sweet maize (Zea maize L.) hybrids using AMMI model. Euphytica, 220(6), 89.
Chandel, U., Guleria, S., Sudan, R., & Kumar, D. (2019). Genotype by environment interaction and stability analysis for maize hybrids in north western Himalayas ecology.
Daemo, B. B., Wolancho, G. B., Arke, Z. A., Wakalto, D. D., & Onu, M. H. (2024). Performance Evaluation and Stability of Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes for Grain Yield Using AMMI and GGE Biplot. International Journal of Agronomy, 2024(1), 8801999.
Dang, X., Hu, X., Ma, Y., Li, Y., Kan, W., & Dong, X. (2024). AMMI and GGE biplot analysis for genotype× environment interactions affecting the yield and quality characteristics of sugar beet. PeerJ, 12, e16882.
Dia, M., Wehner, T. C., & Arellano, C. (2016). Analysis of genotype× environment interaction (G× E) using SAS programming. Agronomy Journal, 108(5), 1838-1852.
Dosho, B. M., Ifie, B., Asante, I., Danquah, E., & Zeleke, H. (2022). Genotype-by-environment interaction and yield stability for grain yield of quality protein maize hybrids under low and optimum soil nitrogen environments. Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology, 25(4), 437-450.
Eberhart, S. t., & Russell, W. (1966). Stability parameters for comparing varieties 1. Crop science, 6(1), 36-40.
Esan, V. I., Oke, G. O., Ogunbode, T. O., & Obisesan, I. A. (2023). AMMI and GGE biplot analyses of Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.] for agronomic performances under three environmental conditions. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, 997429.
Farshadfar, E., & Yaghotipoor, A. (2011). AMMI stability value and simultaneous estimation of yield and yield stability in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Aust J Crop Sci 5, 1837–1844.
Garudapalya, M. K., Mallana, G. M., Shilendra, K. J., Rakesh, P., Palanisamy, V., Hirenallur, C. L., & Viswanathan, C. (2025). Unravelling root system architecture plasticity in response to abiotic stresses in maize. . Sci Rep, 15, 20433. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04123-z
GENSTAT. (2009). GENSTAT 12th edn. VSN International Ltd (VSNi), Hertfordshire. . http://www.vsni.co.uk
Hailemariam Habtegebriel, M. (2022). Adaptability and stability for soybean yield by AMMI and GGE models in Ethiopia. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, 950992.
Han, X., Luo, Y., Shu, G., Wang, A., Wang, Y., & Zhang, Y. (2025). Phenotypic Plasticity of Maize Flowering Time and Plant Height Using the Interactions Between QTNs and Meteorological Factors. Agronomy, 15(5), 1078.
Jan, B., Kamila, N., & Dariusz, R. (2024). Genotype‑environment interaction for grain yield in maize (Zea mays L.) using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model. Journal of Applied Genetics –664 65(653:664). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s13353-024-00899-4
Kaya, Y. (2022). GGE-Biplot analysis of durum wheat yield trials. Black Sea Journal of Agriculture, 5(2), 104-109.
Keno, T., Azmach, G., Wegary, D., Worku, M., Tadesse, B., Wolde, L., Deressa, T., Abebe, B., Chibsa, T., & Suresh, L. (2018). Major biotic maize production stresses in Ethiopia and their management through host resistance. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 13(21), 1042-1052.
Liu, C., Ma, C., Lü, J., & Ye, Z. (2022). Yield stability analysis in maize hybrids of southwest china under genotype by environment interaction using GGE biplot. Agronomy, 12(5), 1189.
Luz, L. S., Reis, H. M. d., de Leon da Costa, N. M. E. P., Carvalho, F. R., Caixeta, D. G., & DeLima, R. O. (2024). Combining ability for agronomic traits among commercial maize hybrids under low and high nitrogen inputs targeting the development of breeding populations. PloS one, 19(10), e0309296.
Lv, Y., Yun, L., Jia, M., & Jia, X. (2024). GGE biplot analysis for genotype× environment interactions affecting the seed shattering of Psathyrostachys juncea. Heliyon, 10(20).
Ma, C., Liu, C., & Ye, Z. (2024). Influence of genotype× environment interaction on yield stability of maize hybrids with AMMI Model and GGE Biplot. Agronomy, 14(5), 1000.
Mafouasson, H. N. A., Gracen, V., Yeboah, M. A., Ntsomboh-Ntsefong, G., Tandzi, L. N., & Mutengwa, C. S. (2018). Genotype-by-environment interaction and yield stability of maize single cross hybrids developed from tropical inbred lines. Agronomy, 8(5), 62.
Mandalapu, H., Subbarayan, S., Kumari, V., Sathya, S., Natesan, S., Uma, D., & Senthil, A. (2025). Multi-index based analysis of genotype× environment interaction and selection of superior maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids.
Maulana, H., Maxiselly, Y., Yuwariah, Y., & Ruswandi, D. (2023). Heritability and selection using GGE biplots and the Sustainability Index (SI) of maize mutants under different cropping systems in upland. Sustainability, 15(8), 6824.
Mekasha, G. M., & Chere, A. T. (2022). Performance evaluation and identification of highland quality protein maize hybrids in Ethiopia.
Messmer, R., Fracheboud, Y., Bänziger, M., Vargas, M., Stamp, P., & Ribaut, J.-M. (2009). Drought stress and tropical maize: QTL-by-environment interactions and stability of QTLs across environments for yield components and secondary traits. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 119, 913-930.
Mukri, G., Gowtham, K., Gadag, R., Sen, R., Kumar, S., Swain, D., Singh, K., Shilpa, K., Prabha, C., & Bhat, J. S. (2024). A combination of analytical methods dissects genotype× environment interaction precisely and facilitates the selection of potential new field corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids. Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding, 84(03), 336-345.
Navarro, B. L., Streit, S., Nogueira Júnior, A. F., & von Tiedemann, A. (2024). Photosynthetic Costs and Impact on Epidemiological Parameters Associated with Ht Resistance Genes in Maize Lines Infected with Exserohilum turcicum. Phytopathology®, 114(4), 760-769.
Nsibo, D. L., Barnes, I., & Berger, D. K. (2024). Recent advances in the population biology and management of maize foliar fungal pathogens Exserohilum turcicum, Cercospora zeina and Bipolaris maydis in Africa. Frontiers in Plant Science, 15, 1404483.
Olanrewaju, O. S., Oyatomi, O., Babalola, O. O., & Abberton, M. (2021). GGE biplot analysis of genotype× environment interaction and yield stability in Bambara groundnut. Agronomy, 11(9), 1839.
Omar, M., Rabie, H. A., Mowafi, S. A., Othman, H. T., El-Moneim, D. A., Alharbi, K., Mansour, E., & Ali, M. M. (2022). Multivariate analysis of agronomic traits in newly developed maize hybrids grown under different agro-environments. Plants, 11(9), 1187.
Özata, E. (2021). Yield and Quality Stabilities of Waxy Maize Genotypes using Biplot Analysis. International Journal of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, 4(1), 61-89.
Pacheco, A., Vargas, M., Alvarado, G., Rodríguez, F., López, M., Crossa, J., & Burgueño, J. (2016). GEA-R (genotype x environment analysis with R for windows.) version 4.0 International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center. . http://hdl.handle.net/11529/10203
Piepho, H. P., Möhring, J., Melchinger, A. E., & Büchse, A. (2008). BLUP for phenotypic selection in plant breeding and variety testing. Euphytica 161, 209–228. https://doi.org/doi: 10.1007/s10681-007-9449-8
Pour-Aboughadareh, A., Khalili, M., Poczai, P., & Olivoto, T. (2022). Stability indices to deciphering the genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) effect: An applicable review for use in plant breeding programs. Plants, 11(3), 414.
Prakash, R., Ravikesavan, R., Vinodhana, N. K., & Senthil, A. (2019). Genetic variability, character association and path analysis for yield and yield component traits in maize (Zea mays L.). Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 10(2), 518-524.
Purchase, J. L., Hatting, H., & Van Deventer, C. S. (2000). Genotype × environment interaction of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in South Africa: II. Stability analysis of yield performance. . S. Afr. J. Plant Soil, 17, 101-107. https://doi.org/https://doi.org//10.1080/02571862.2000.10634878
Razzaq, T., Khan, M. F., & Awan, S. I. (2019). Study of northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) on maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes and its effect on yield. Sarhad J. Agric, 35, 1166-1174.
Rijal, T. R., Govind, K., Koirala, K. B., & Shrestha, J. (2016). Evaluation of maize genotypes for Turcicum leaf blight (Exserohilum turcicum) in Terai and inner terai of Nepal. Journal of Maize Research and Development, 2(1), 109-116.
Seyoum, Y. M., & Azmach, G. (2022). GENOTYPE by ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION AND YIELD STABILITY OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) GENOTYPES IN MAJOR MAIZE GROWING AREAS OF ETHIOPIA Haramaya University, Haramaya].
Sharma, S. (2023). Influence of weather parameters on northern leaf blight development of maize incited by Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonard and Suggs in Nepal. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 9(1), 2222959.
Shojaei, S. H., Mostafavi, K., Bihamta, M. R., Omrani, A., Mousavi, S. M. N., Illés, Á., Bojtor, C., & Nagy, J. (2022). Stability on maize hybrids based on GGE biplot graphical technique. Agronomy, 12(2), 394.
Shojaei, S. H., Mostafavi, K., Omrani, A., Omrani, S., Nasir Mousavi, S. M., Illés, Á., Bojtor, C., & Nagy, J. (2021). Yield stability analysis of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids using parametric and AMMI methods. Scientifica, 2021(1), 5576691.
Singamsetti, A., Shahi, J., Zaidi, P., Seetharam, K., Vinayan, M., Kumar, M., Singla, S., Shikha, K., & Madankar, K. (2021). Genotype× environment interaction and selection of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids across moisture regimes. Field Crops Research, 270, 108224.
Stubbs, C. J., Kunduru, B., Bokros, N., Verges, V., Porter, J., Cook, D. D., DeBolt, S., McMahan, C., Sekhon, R. S., & Robertson, D. J. (2023). Moving toward short stature maize: The effect of plant height on maize stalk lodging resistance. Field Crops Research, 300, 109008.
Supriadi, D., Bimantara, Y. M., Zendrato, Y. M., Widaryanto, E., Kuswanto, K., & Waluyo, B. (2024). Assessment of genotype by environment and yield performance of tropical maize hybrids using stability statistics and graphical biplots. PeerJ, 12, e18624.
Thapa, S., & Rawal, S. (2024). Grain yield performance of spring maize under different agroecological zones. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, 5(1), 75.
Tulu, D., Abakemal, D., Keimeso, Z., Kumsa, T., Negera, D., Terefe, W., Wolde, L., & Abebe, A. (2021a). Hybrid performances and line-by-tester analysis of highland maize inbred lines for grain yield and other related traits. International Journal of
Agriculture and Biosciences 10(4), 195-201.
Tulu, D., Abakemal, D., Keimeso, Z., Kumsa, T., Negera, D., Terefe, W., Wolde, L., & Abebe, A. (2021b). Hybrid performances and line-by-tester analysis of highland maize inbred lines for grain yield and other related traits.
Tulu, D., Kumsa, T., Keimeso, Z., & Abakemal, D. (2022). Evaluation of Promising Highland Maize Genotypes in Highland Districts of Western Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. EAS Journal of Biotechnology and Genetics, 4, 31-35.
Tulu, D., Tesso, B., & Azmach, G. (2018). Heterosis and combining ability analysis of quality protein maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines adapted to mid-altitude sub-humid agro-ecology of Ethiopia. African Journal of Plant Science, 12(3), 47-57.
Verma, A., & Singh, G. P. (2022). G× E effects elucidated by AMMI, BLUP and non-parametric measures of wheat genotypes evaluated in NEPZ.
Wang, S.-q., Jiang, X.-w., Wang, S.-d., Bu, J.-z., Wei, J.-w., Chen, S.-p., Peng, H.-c., Xie, J.-l., Yue, H.-w., & Li, H.-s. (2019). Genotype by environment interaction analysis in summer maize hybrids for grain yield under multi-environment trials in Huang-Huai-Hai area, China.
Wang, X., Shi, Z., Zhang, R., Sun, X., Wang, J., Wang, S., Zhang, Y., Zhao, Y., Su, A., & Li, C. (2020). Stalk architecture, cell wall composition, and QTL underlying high stalk flexibility for improved lodging resistance in maize. BMC Plant Biology, 20, 1-12.
Wathaneeyawech, S., Sirithunya, P., & Smitamana, P. (2015). Study of the host range of northern corn leaf blight disease and effect of Exserohilum turcicum toxin on sweet corn.
Wicaksana, N., Maulana, H., Yuwariah, Y., Ismail, A., Ruswandi, Y. A. R., & Ruswandi, D. (2022). Selection of high yield and stable maize hybrids in mega-environments of Java island, Indonesia. Agronomy, 12(12), 2923.
Yan, W., Cornelius, P. L., Crossa, J., & Hunt, L. A. (2001). Two types of GGE biplot for analyzing multi-environment trial data. Crop Science, 41(3), 656–663. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2001.413656x
Yan, W., & Kang, M. S. (2002). GGE biplot analysis: A graphical tool for breeders, geneticists, and agronomists. CRC press.
Yan, W., & Tinker, N. A. (2006). Biplot analysis of multi-environment trial data: Principles and applications. Canadian journal of plant science, 86(3), 623-645.
Yipu, L., Haizhu, B., Zhenghan, X., Shuping, H., Jiying, S., Zhigang, W., & Xiaofang, Y., Julin Gao. (2023). MMI an GGE biplot analysis of grain yield for drought-tolerant maize hybrid selection in Inner Mongolia. Scientific Reports, 13, 18800. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-46167-z
Yousaf, M. I., Akhtar, N., Mumtaz, A., Shehzad, A., Arshad, M., Shoaib, M., & Mehboob, A. (2021). Yield stability studies in indigenous and exotic maize hybrids under genotype by environment interaction. Pak. J. Bot, 53(3), 941-948.
Yousuf, N., Dar, S., Lone, A., Ahanger, M., Dar, Z., Bhat, M., Shikari, A., Sofi, P., Bhat, Z., & Gulzar, S. (2018). Field screening of maize (Zea mays L.) landraces for resistance against turcicum leaf blight (TLB) under temperate conditions. Int. J. Chem. Stud, 6(1), 333-337.
Yue, H., Gauch, H. G., Wei, J., Xie, J., Chen, S., Peng, H., Bu, J., & Jiang, X. (2022). Genotype by environment interaction analysis for grain yield and yield components of summer maize hybrids across the huanghuaihai region in China. Agriculture, 12(5), 602.
Yue, H., Olivoto, T., Bu, J., Wei, J., Liu, P., Wu, W., Nardino, M., & Jiang, X. (2025). Assessing the role of genotype by environment interaction as determinants of maize grain yield and lodging resistance. BMC Plant Biology, 25(1), 120.
Zaid, I. U., Zahra, N., Habib, M., Naeem, M. K., Asghar, U., Uzair, M., Latif, A., Rehman, A., Ali, G. M., & Khan, M. R. (2022). Estimation of genetic variances and stability components of yield-related traits of green super rice at multi-environmental conditions in Pakistan. Agronomy, 12(5), 1157.
Zhao, J., Ren, B., Zhao, B., Liu, P., & Zhang, J. (2022). Yield of summer maize hybrids with different growth duration determined by light and temperature resource use efficiency from silking to physiological maturity stage. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, 992311.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
