Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important staple, as well as cash crop, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, its production is severely constrained by low soil nitrogen (low N). Fifty-four early-maturing hybrids developed during three breeding periods, (2008–2010, 2011–2013 and 2014–2016) were evaluated under low (30 kg ha−1) and high (120 kg ha−1) soil nitrogen (N) in Ile-Ife and Mokwa, Nigeria, from 2017 to 2019. The study was designed to (i) determine the genetic gains in grain yield of the early-maturing maize hybrids developed during the three breeding periods, (ii) determine the relationship between grain yield and other agronomic traits and (iii) identify the highest-yielding and most stable hybrids under low- and high-N environments. The 54 hybrids were evaluated using a 6 × 9 lattice design with three replications. Mean squares for hybrids were significant for measured traits under low- and high-N environments, except the mean squares for stalk lodging and EPP under low N. Annual genetic gains in grain yield were 75 kg ha−1 year−1 (2.91%) and 55 kg ha−1 year−1 (1.33%) under low- and high-N environments, respectively, indicating that substantial gains were achieved in the genetic enhancement of the early-maturing hybrids. The hybrids TZdEI 314 × TZdEI 105, TZdEI 378 × TZdEI 173, ENT 12 × TZEI 48 and TZdEI 352 × TZdEI 315 were identified as the highest-yielding and most stable across test environments and should be tested extensively on farms and commercialized in SSA.
Funder
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Subject
Plant Science,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Cited by
3 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献