G x E Interaction on Yield Stability of Five Sweet Corn Hybrids Grown under Different Agricultural Systems

Abstract

Yield stability in sweet corn and its dependence on G x E interaction were investigated in a series of two way experiments. Five Romanian sweet corn hybrids were tested in three years (2008-2010) in three locations of Central Transylvania in different soils and climatic conditions. The experiments were organized in a split plot design in which, on a general level of organic fertilization (40 t/ha manure), four levels of mineral N fertilization were applied (kg/ha, active matter): N0, typical for organic technologies; N50, corresponding to the low-input (sustainable) system; N100 and N150 customary with conventional system of agriculture. Based on ear yield data registered for hybrids in locations x years x cropping system, a phenotypic index (Pi) was computed for each sweet corn hybrid illustrating the stability of their cob yields, with and without husks. The share of genotypic and G x E effects in the total value of Pi have been estimated. In different agricultural systems the tested hybrids were classified differently based on their Pi values. It is concluded that, at least for the time being, the initiation of an organic breeding program for sweet corn, in Romania, is not economically justified since all semiearly and semilate tested hybrids yielded satisfactorily under organic agricultural practices. Moreover, among the recently released sweet corn hybrids one can find certain genotypes highly suitable to organic (i.e. ‘Deliciul verii’, ‘Estival’) or low input (‘Dulcin’, ‘Estival’) agricultural practices. These three hybrids recorded the highes ear yields (with and without husks) over years, locations and agricultural systems.

Breeding maize for traditional and organic agriculture

“…In the current trials, GE was very important probably due to the variety of environments and cultural practices involved; nevertheless, evaluations of wide collections of maize varieties for human consumption under conventional or organic agriculture show large diversity also for the importance of GE (Duarte et al 2005;LeFord and Russell 1985;Malvar et al 2008;Revilla et al 2008). Other reports combining organic and conventional agriculture have shown inconsistent results concerning GE (Lazcano et al 2012;Ardelean et al 2012).…”

“…When breeding crops for traditional or organic agriculture, some breeders consider that selection need not be accomplished under both organic and conventional agriculture because varieties developed for conventional agriculture are also suitable for organic agriculture (Ardelean et al 2012;Burger et al 2008;Lorenzana and Bernardo 2008). Contrarily, other authors emphasize the need to develop effective strategies for improving crop performance in organic systems through plant breeding and that varieties should be improved for specific adaptation (Löschenberger et al 2008;Murphy et al 2005;Wolfe et al 2008; Kovacevic and Lazic 2012;Van Bueren et al 2011).…”

Combining Ability Analysis of Ear Characteristics of Sweet Corn Hybrids Suitable for Organic Crop Production

“…Moreover, the existence of the significant effect of genotype by environment (G × E) interaction for husked size (ear length, diameter, and weight), kernel-row num-ber, and kernel number per row implied that the genotypic ranks for these traits were inconsistent across environments. The different response of sweet corn genotypes in different environments was common (Ardelean et al 2012), and the existence of G × E interaction was significant in the plant breeding for developing cultivars with adequate adaptation to the targeted environment (Ceccarelli 2015).…”

Fauna Rezervației „Plaiul Fagului". Vertebrate terestre

“…În coliviile artificiale amplasate în rezervație cel mai înalt procent de ocupare a fost înregistrat la muscarul gulerat (71,25%), iar cel mai mic număr de colivii a fost ocupat de pițigoiul albastru (1,25). Amplasarea coliviilor artificiale a contribuit la mărirea efectivului speciilor de scorbură, fapt care indică deficitul de scorburi în urma lucrărilor de amenajare silvică.…”