Stability Dynamics of Main Qualitative Traits in Maize Cultivations across Diverse Environments regarding Soil Characteristics and Climate

Abstract

One of the main obstacles to finding cultivars with consistent performance across locations and years is the genotype × environment (GE) interaction effect. A new approach to stability analysis for qualitative characteristics in maize was conducted utilizing G × E interactions and further analysis via AMMI and GGE biplots. The study aimed to identify the type of trait inheritance through estimations of the stability index, to evaluate multiple locations and multiple genotypes to determine how different ecosystems and maize genotypes relate to one another, and, finally, to suggest the ideal climatic conditions and genotypes, carefully chosen for their stability. Fifteen F1 commercial maize hybrids comprised the genetic materials tested, along with 15 open-pollination lines created by 4-cycle Honeycomb assessment, at four different environments, Giannitsa, Florina, Trikala, and Kalambaka in Greece. The experiments were conducted in Randomized Complete Block Designs (RCB) with four replications. The tested characteristics were protein content (%), fat (%), ash (%), starch (%), crude fiber (%), moisture (%), seed length, seed thickness, and seed width. All genotypes showed statistically significant differences for all characteristics measured, especially for protein content and size of the kernel. G × E interaction was present only for moisture content and size of the kernel. Environments significantly affected fat, starch content, moisture content, and the kernel’s size (under a multiple G × E interaction). Protein, ash, and fiber content showed no G × E interaction. Further analysis via AMMI and GGE biplots was applied to explore the genotypic stability across all experimental environments for the traits that showed noteworthy G × E interaction. According to our results and approach, protein content is less qualitative than other characteristics like moisture and starch content. Correlations showed that negative selection for the last two characteristics, as well as for ash content, in combination with longer seeds, may lead indirectly to improved stability performance for protein content. Three environments, Giannitsa, Trikala and Kalambaka, exhibited higher stability index values for almost all characteristics measured. Therefore, those environments are perfect for ensuring the stability of the quality characteristics and could be recommended. The best maize hybrids were Mitic, 6818 and 6040, exhibiting high stability indices of quality characteristics and Kermes displaying stability for protein content. Therefore, those should be further tested in multiple environments to confirm the consistency of their high-stability performance.