Varieties of blue maize Chalqueño, selected for multiple characters and yield stability

Abstract

The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate the agronomic traits and yield through multiple environments; 2) analyse the behaviour of the varieties through multiple characters; 3) determine the stability of yield; and 4) selecting varieties based on multiple characters and yield stability. An evaluation of 24 varieties was conducted of blue maize landrace Chalqueño and white grain hybrid H-139 as a control, in six locations in the Central Highlands of Mexico. The experiments were established under an experimental design of randomized complete block with four replications. Significant differences (p≤ 0.001) were recorded between locations, varieties and in the varieties x locations interaction for days to male and female flowering, interval of male-female flowering, plant height, flattened plant, pods per plant and yield. Among localities grain yield ranged from 3.7 to 6.7 t ha-1, the proportion of ears per plant was from 0.59 to 0.86 and the days to male flowering of 82.9 to 107.6 days, the highest values   corresponded to localities at 2 400 m elevation. Among varieties yield ranged from 4.7 to 6.4 t ha-1, the control H-139 yielded 6.5 t ha-1, the proportion of ears per plant ranged from 0.6 to 0.8 and male flowering 90 to 102 days. The analysis of the varieties through multiple characters, detected the varieties 12, 15, 22, 23 and 24 with positive expression in ear weight, pods per plant, test weight and late to male and female flowering period. The stability analysis to identify yield varieties 2, 3, 6 and 22 as stable varieties but, with low yield except the variety 22 which yielded 6.4 t ha-1 and was statistically similar to the control H-139, which was selected by favourably presenting characters of plant, ear, grain yield and yield stability. The varieties 13, 20, 23 and the hybrid H-139 of high-yield, interaction with good productivity locations.