Grain Yield and Stability of White Early Maize Hybrids in the Highland Valleys of Mexico

There is great interest in Mexico in reducing imports of grain and becoming self-sufficient in cereal production. Identifying high-yielding and stable maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids from different research institutions could contribute to increasing maize production in the highlands of Mexico. In this study, 16 early white maize hybrids were evaluated at 37 highland sites in several Mexican states with the objective of identifying high-yielding and stable hybrids, as well as high-yielding sites. Using the site regression model, it was possible to identify some outstanding hybrids (CHLHW09035, CHLHW02517, and HIBRIDO 2010) with acceptable grain yield production that were also stable across most of the 37 sites. Hybrids ST-010 and ASPROS-823 were less stable but produced acceptable yields. Sites with higher stability included Site 26 (Amealco, Queretaro), Site 7 (Epitacio Huerta, Michoacan), Site 37 (Tlachaloya, State of Mexico), Site 34 (Ciudad Hidalgo, Michoacan), and Site 29 (Metepec, State of Mexico). Other sites with satisfactory stability included Site 20 (Jilotepec, State of Mexico), Site 5 (Quecholac, Puebla), Site 6 (Huejotzingo, Puebla), Site 13 (Ajacuba, Hidalgo), and Site 19 (Santo Domingo, Oaxaca). J.L. Torres Flores, B. Mendoza García, B.M. Prasanna, G. Alvarado, F.M. San Vicente, and J. Crossa, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Apdo. Postal 6-641, 06600, Mexico, DF, Mexico. Received 2 Mar. 2017. Accepted 26 July 2017. *Corresponding author ([email protected], [email protected]). Assigned to Associate Editor Eric Olson. Abbreviations: DA, days to anthesis; DS, days to silk; EH, ear height; GY, grain yield; HC, husk cover; PH, plant height; SREG, site regression. Published in Crop Sci. 57:3002–3015 (2017). doi: 10.2135/cropsci2017.03.0145 © Crop Science Society of America | 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Published online October 13, 2017