Genotype X environment interactions for ear mold resistance and its subcomponents in maize hybrids

• Published in: Canadian journal of plant science Vol. 66; no. 2; pp. 291 - 297
• Main Authors: Hunter, R.B, Atlin, G.N, Muldoon, J.F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-01-1986
• Subjects: disease resistance; genotype-environment interaction; genotype-environment interactions; Gibberella zeae; molds; Zea mays
• ISSN: 0008-4220; 1918-1833
• DOI: 10.4141/cjps86-042

Twelve short season maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids were evaluated over five environments between 1979 and 1982 to determine the magnitude of the genotype x environment interaction for ear mold (Gibberella zeae (Schwabe)) resistance. Mold damage (MD) was characterized into two subcomponents, precent infected plants (%IP) and spread of infection on infected ears (SI). All three traits (%MD, %IP and SI) exhibited highly significant genotype x environment interactions. Weather variables were considered to account for an insignificant proportion of this variation due to the nature of the artificial inoculation procedure. An undetermined proportion of the variation was likely attributable to differences in fungal isolates used over the years. Estimates of stability indicated that four of the 12 hybrids had relatively low mold damage and high stability over the five environments.