YIELD STABILITY STUDIES IN SHORT-SEASON MAIZE. I. A DESCRIPTIVE METHOD FOR GROUPING GENOTYPES

In recent years, several methods of identifying superior genotypes in the presence of genotype–environment interaction have been proposed. Fifteen single-cross maize hybrids, originating from a 6-inbred diallel of short-season maize, were grown in yield tests over 16 environments from 1969 to 1974. Several statistical methods for measuring yield stability were applied to the data. The problems with these techniques are discussed and an alternative method is proposed, whereby genotypes are grouped on the basis of mean yield and coefficient of variation across environments. Comparisons are made among methods.