Evaluation of genotype x environment interactions in maize hybrids using GGE biplot analysis [Avaliação da interação genótipo x ambiente em híbridos de milho usando análise GGE biplot]

Seventeen hybrid maize genotypes were evaluated at four different locations in 2005 and 2006 cropping seasons under irrigated conditions in Turkey. The analysis of variance showed that mean squares of environments (E), genotypes (G) and GE interactions (GEI) were highly significant and accounted for 74, 7 and 19 % of treatment combination sum squares, respectively. To determine the effects of GEI on grain yield, the data were subjected to the GGE biplot analysis. Maize hybrid G16 can be proposed as reliably growing in test locations for high grain yield. Also, only the Yenioehir location could be best representative of overall locations for deciding about which experimental hybrids can be recommended for grain yield in this study. Consequently, using of grain yield per plant instead of grain yield per plot in hybrid maize breeding programs could be preferred by private companies due to some advantages.