The results of evaluation of adaptability of corn parental lines

Abstract

Information about the adaptability of corn parental lines helps to optimize hybrid seed production. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the plasticity and stability parameters of nine corn inbreds that were used to produce new hybrids. We conducted the research in 2019-2021 in two areas which include the foothill of the North Caucasus (Pyatigorsk) and the forest-steppe of the Central Black Earth Region (Voronezh). There were diverse environments in the areas: nonlimiting conditions were in Voronezh in 2019 (Ij=1.75) and 2020 (Ij=0.02) and limiting conditions were in Voronezh in 2021 (Ij=-1.07) and in Pyatigorsk in 2019-2021 (Ij=-0.03…-0.38). The most prevailing factor which influenced corn grain yield was the environmental conditions (50.13%) but genotype (25.60%) and GEI (21.16%) were less influential. We found a significant variation in the inbred grain yield across the years (22.0–47.2%). The research shows that the KL 6, RGS 201, RG 218 and RG 266 lines had high coefficients of adaptability (Ka=1.04–1.40) in diverse environments. The KL 6 and RG 218 lines had high adaptable potential according to a ranking system (sum of ranks 6.4 and 6.7) and we recommended them for breeding programs to develop adaptable corn hybrids. It is better to grow the KL 6, RGS 201, RG 218 and RG 266 lines in a wide range of environments. The RS 201, DA 27-11 and AG 1712 lines are suitable for nonlimiting conditions and the RV 197 and RG 297 lines can be grown in unfavorable conditions.