Multi-environment evaluation of dual-purpose baby corn hybrids for yield stability and forage biomass in rainfed agro-ecological systems

Abstract

Introduction: Baby corn (Zea mays L.), harvested before silking, offers a climate-smart, dual-purpose solution by delivering both early-market fresh cobs and tender green biomass suitable for ruminant forage. This study aimed to enhance resilience and sustainability in rainfed agricultural systems by evaluating the performance and yield stability of 61 hybrids developed at ICAR-IARI, Jharkhand, across four contrasting agro-climatic zones of India-Hazaribag, Ludhiana, Karimnagar, and Srinagar. Methods: Key traits analyzed included days to first picking, baby corn weight without husk (BCWoH), total green husk weight (TGHW), and fodder weight (FW), with biomass data recorded from two representative locations. Genotype × environment interaction (GEI) was assessed, and advanced multivariate analyses using AMMI and GGE biplots were performed to identify stable and high-yielding hybrids. Results and discussion: Significant GEI was observed for BCWoH, indicating strong environmental influence on yield performance, whereas biomass traits were largely determined by location-specific factors. Hybrids CR71, CR82, and CR70 were identified as both high-yielding and phenotypically stable across environments for BCWoH and FW, outperforming the standard checks (AH7043 and CMVLBC-2). Genotypes CR7, CR44, and CR50 displayed consistent forage yields, supporting their role in crop-livestock integrated systems. The positive correlation between cob yield and fodder traits highlights opportunities for multi-trait selection, thereby improving land and input-use efficiency. These dual-purpose hybrids demonstrate robust yield resilience under low-input, rainfed conditions, making them suitable for sustainable intensification in peri-urban and resource-constrained systems. Their potential contribution aligns with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Additionally, promising parental inbred lines offer scope for developing next-generation resilient hybrids through genomic and combining ability-based strategies.