Maize-cultivar identification based on phenotype-stability analysis in the Mid-Northern region of Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the adaptability and stability of varieties and hybrids of corn, when subjected to different environmental conditions in the Mid-Northern region of Brazil. For this, we proceeded to the assessment of 22 hybrids in an experimental grid, and 20 cultivars (varieties and hybrids) in another grid, in different environments, using an experimental design of randomized blocks with three replications. The hybrids showed better adaptation than did the varieties. In both grids differences were detected among genotypes and environments, and inconsistent behavior of these genotypes was detected across the average of the environments. The cultivars differed in their adaptability in unfavorable environments. Among those cultivars which best adapted (b0>overall average), the hybrids PL 1335 and SHS 5050, and the variety SHS 500, showed to be demanding under unfavorable conditions (b1>1) and the hybrid SHS 5070 and variety AL 34,  proved to be undemanding under these same conditions (b 1<1). The hybrids which demonstrated wide adaptability (b0> overall average  and b1=1) such as: DKB 390, DAS 8480, DKB 455, BRS 1010 and BRS 1030, among others, become important for agriculture in the region.