Genotype × environment interaction and stability analysis in maize around southern Aravalli hilly ranges of Rajasthan

Crop production is the function of genotype, environment and their interaction (GEI) and evaluation of genotypes in multi environments helps in identifying their adaptation and stability. Forty fve maize hybrids along with their 18 parents and two checks were evaluated in three environments viz., E1 (Kharif-2019, Instructional Farm, RCA, Udaipur), E2 (Kharif-2019, Agriculture Research Sub-Station, Vallabhnagar, Udaipur) and E3 (Rabi-2019-2020, Instructional Farm, RCA, Udaipur) in randomized block design with three replications at each environment to assess the phenotypic stability of genotypes. The mean squares due to genotypes and environments were found signifcant for all the traits under study which indicated inherent genetic diferences among the genotypes. The mean squares due to G × E (linear) interaction were found signifcant for most of the traits under study indicating diferences among genotypes for linear response to varying environments. The MSS due to pooled deviation were found non-signifcant for all the traits which indicated major portion of the genotype × environment interaction was formed by predictable component. The majority of the hybrids depicted non-signifcant deviations from regression (S²d_i) for grain yield per plant. It indicated their predictable response across the environments. A great majority of genotypes revealed non-signifcant non-linear estimates (S²d_i) for diferent traits which suggested that the prediction of stability was more or less accurate and reliable. The top three hybrids suitable for all environments (b_i=1) were EI-2653 × EI-102, EI-2639 × EI-670 and EI-2505 × EI-102 with non-signifcant S²d_i values. The hybrids EI-2176-3 × EI-03, EI-2525-2 × EI-03 and EI-2159 × EI-670 out yielded the best check cultivar CC-1 for grain yield per plant. Thus, these combinations may be exploited commercially after further multi location yield testing.