The objective of the present study was to evaluate the adaptability and stability of corn hybrids for grain yield in environments with high crop management standards. Ten corn hybrids were evaluated for grain yield in 48 environments, consisting of 12 locations over a period of four years in South Brazil. A complete experimental, random block design with two repetitions was used. Adaptability and stability were analyzed according to the bi-segmented discontinuous model with measurement errors in the variables. The behavior of hybrids was studied as a function of the average yield in the inferior and/or superior environments, the estimates of the parameters of the equation, and the quality of the fit. The 30F36 hybrid behaved better in the superior environments and it is indicated for farmers who adopt the highest technological standards for crop management, whereas the 30F53 hybrid was classified as close to ideal; that is, it is indicated for cultivation under various environmental conditions. The 30R50 and 32R48 hybrids are appropriate only for average environments. There is a very good phenotypic stability in simple hybrids associated with high potential yield.
Zea mays L.; high potential; genotype vs. environment interaction; cultivar selection; bi-segmented discontinuous model
