Yield Stability and Agronomic Performance of Late-Maturing Pro-Vitamin A Maize in Southwest Nigeria Using GGE Biplot Analysis

Abstract

Maize is one of the most essential cereal crops grown across the major agro-ecological zones of Nigeria, both in terms of production and consumption. However, significant differences in soil properties and climatic conditions have led to wide fluctuations in the yield performance of maize genotypes annually, making the study of genotype by environment interactions crucial for plant breeders. This research aimed to evaluate the performance and stability of elite, late-maturing maize varieties under contrasting environmental conditions in Southwest Nigeria. In 2019 and 2020, fourteen open-pollinated cultivars were examined in three different sites utilizing a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The commercial check entry (3.73 t ha -1) and the local check variety (3.68 t ha -1) yielded far less than the genotype with the maximum grain yield, which produced 4.24 t ha -1. The tested genotypes and the commercial check exhibited greater stability compared to the local check. Results indicated that the varieties AFLATOXIN SYN-YF2 and PVA SYN 13 demonstrated both high yield and stability, making them valuable resources for breeding programs focused on developing improved maize varieties for small-scale farmers in Nigeria, many of whom have limited access to commercial maize hybrids.