Selection of high-yield maize hybrid under different cropping systems based on stability and adaptability parameters

Abstract

The intercropping of maize with other food crops is a current solution to problems in food crop production and crop failures. The objectives of the study were to (i) select adaptive maize hybrids in intercropping as well as sole-cropping systems, and (ii) test the ideal cropping system to evaluate best hybrids for intercropping. This study used 12 maize hybrids with different genetic backgrounds. Planting was carried out for two seasons using four cropping systems. Hybrids were selected according to their adaptability and stability based on parametric, nonparametric, and multivariate analyses. The results showed that G10 had high yield for all cropping systems. G10 was also selected as an adaptive hybrid for sole-cropping, whereas G9 was selected as an adaptive hybrid for intercropping. The L5 and L4 were ideal environments for evaluating hybrids under different cropping systems. The selected hybrids should be evaluated and disseminated for small-holder farmers in Indonesia.