Contribution of temperate germplasm to the performance of maize hybrids under stress and non-stress environments in South Africa

Increases in genetic gains are crucial to maize breeding programmes. The objectives of this study were to identify higher-yielding and stable maize hybrids across stress and non-stress environments, to identify representative test environments for testing and selection of superior maize genotypes, and to determine the contribution of temperate maize germplasm in the performance of new tropical hybrids. Respectively 42 and 72 newly developed single-cross hybrids together with check hybrids were evaluated separately for grain yield performance across stress and non-stress environments, at four locations (Potchefstroom, Cedara, Vaalharts/Taung and Makhathini) in South Africa, in the 2014/15 and 2015/16 growing seasons (seasons 1 and 2, respectively). Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and genotype + genotype x environment interaction (GGE) biplots were employed. In season 1, the hybrids MO17HtHtN x CML444 and I-39 x CML444 were the most stable and high-yielding genotypes after the ideal commercial check. In season 2, the hybrids FO215W x CML444, I-42 x CML444 and U71Y x CML444 were stable and high-yielding, with FO215W x CML444 being the most ideal. These stable hybrids would be the best suited for wide adaptation across non-stress and stress environments. Hybrids containing tropical CIMMYT testers were more stable than those derived from temperate Corn Belt material. The locations Potchefstroom and Vaalharts were the most suitable environments for evaluating the performance of these genotypes across the diverse environments.

Automated summary

This study aimed to identify high-yielding and stable maize hybrids across diverse environments in South Africa. The evaluation of newly developed hybrids over two growing seasons showed some hybrids to be stable and high-yielding, suitable for wide adaptation across stress and non-stress environments. Hybrids containing tropical CIMMYT testers were found to be more stable than those derived from temperate Corn Belt material.