Simultaneous selection of promising maize hybrids for high grain yield and stability

Three promising three-way crosses and four commercial hybrids were evaluated in 2019 growing season at eleven different locations in Egypt. These trials were the last stage evaluation of new maize hybrid registration in Egypt. The analysis of variance showed that mean squares of hybrids (H) were significant at each location (L) and across locations. Also, mean squares due to locations and H x L interaction were highly significant. The promising hybrid three-way cross Sk 316 outyielded compared to the best check and was most stable hybrid based on four out of seven stability parameters. Hence, it might be recommended for release as new commercial hybrid in Egypt. The correlations between (S² and S²d_i), (S² and W²_i) and (S²d_i and W²_i) were positive and significant, meaning that the two parameters were similar in classification of the hybrids according to their stability under different locations. Consequently, only one of the two parameters would be sufficient to select the stable hybrids in breeding program.