Environment and genotype-environment interaction in maize breeding in Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

The objectives of this study were: to quantify environmental variation and genotype-environment effects inmaize hybrids, within and between two macro-environments in the state of Paraná; and to group the environments accordingto the hybrid performance and determine the most adequate locations for selection in the state in the main crop season. Thetrials were carried out in the 2003/2004 growing season at six locations: Campo Largo (CL), Ponta Grossa (PG), FazendaRio Grande (FZ), Londrina (LD), Centenário do Sul (CS) and Palotina (PL). The effects of location (L), macro-environments(ME), locations within macro-environments (WME), hybrids (H), and the interactions (H x L), (H x ME), (H x WME) weresignificant (at 0.1 % probability). Two clusters were formed, contrasting with the macro-environment zoning: (CL, FZ) and(PG, CS, LD). PL was excluded from both. Under the average conditions of the state, environments appropriate for high yieldswere most suitable for selection as well.

Keywords

• dissimilarity
• genotype-interaction
• selection
• zoning