Efficiency, responsiveness and stability of maize hybrids conditions low nitrogen available

Maisa Nascimento CARVALHO; Gustavo Hugo Ferreira OLIVEIRA; Claudio Lopes SOUZA JÚNIOR; Gustavo Vitti  MÔRO

Authors

Maisa Nascimento CARVALHO UNESP/FCAV https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7620-4593
Gustavo Hugo Ferreira OLIVEIRA UFS/Campus do Sertão https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3839-6261
Claudio Lopes SOUZA JÚNIOR USP/ESALQ https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4657-0397
Gustavo Vitti MÔRO UNESP/FCAV https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7709-7814

Keywords:

Zea mays L., agronomic efficiency of nitrogen use, genotype by environment interaction, harmonic mean of the relative performance

Abstract

Growing maize (Zea mays L.) has required ever greater use of nitrogen fertilizers, increasing costs and environmental contamination. In this respect, the aim of this study was to characterize the efficiency, responsiveness, and stability of maize hybrids regarding nitrogen use for inclusion in maize breeding programs. A total of 49 single-cross maize hybrids were evaluated in seven environments in a square lattice design. Two experiments were conducted: one with application of nitrogen in top dressing and the other without application of nitrogen in top dressing. Grain yield without application of nitrogen (GYLN) and grain yield with application of nitrogen (GYHN) were evaluated and, from these estimates, the agronomic efficiency at low N availability (AELN) and the harmonic mean of the relative performance (HMRP) were obtained. Analysis of variance, the Scott-Knott test, and characterization of the efficiency and responsiveness of the hybrids were carried out. There was significance for the effect of hybrids, of the environment, and of the Hybrid by environment interaction. Hybrids with greater stability were identified by HMRP, and 23% of the hybrids were classified as efficient and responsive. Of the hybrids evaluated, 67% can be used to increase nitrogen use efficiency in breeding programs.

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