Yield Stability and Inter-Traits Relationships of Maize Hybrids Under Low- and Optimum-Nitrogen Conditions

Abstract The menace of low soil nitrogen poses a significant challenge to maize production in sub-Saharan Africa, necessitating the development of high-yielding hybrids with increased nitrogen (N) tolerance. Two hundred and forty (240) maize hybrids were evaluated across eight environments at Zaria and Mokwa in Nigeria during the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons, encompassing both low- and optimum-N conditions. The primary objective of the study was to identify high-yielding, stable, and low-N-tolerant hybrids for potential adoption in Nigeria. The study results underscored the significant impact of nitrogen availability on various agronomic traits, causing a substantial 53% reduction in grain yield. Significant genetic variation was observed among hybrids for most measured traits. SMLW146 × IITA1878, SMLW147 × SAM50M and SMLW147 × IITA1878 were the highest-yielding hybrids across the test environments with a yield advantage of 48.2%, 46.6% and 43.1%, respectively over the best check. GGE biplot analysis identified Mokwa Low-N 2021 (MLN21) and Mokwa optimum-N 2021 (MOP21) as discriminating and representative environments for selecting superior hybrids. SMLW147 × SAM50M emerged as the most stable low-N tolerant hybrid with the highest yield performance. Conversely, hybrid SMLW147 × IITA1878 produced a high yield across environments but was unstable. The study concludes by recommending SMLW147 × SAM50M for cultivation across both low- and optimum-N conditions, while SMLW147 × IITA1878 is specifically recommended for cultivation in optimum-N environments. Anthesis-silking interval, plant aspect, ear aspect, and ear height were identified as the most suitable secondary traits for selecting hybrids for high grain yield under low-N conditions.