Performance and Stability of Maize (iZea/ii /iimays/i L.) Hybrids Derived from the Combination of Tropical and Temperate Lines in Burkina Faso

Maize (iZea/ii mays/i L.) is one of the worldwide food crops and plays a fundamental role due to its importance in terms of food, economics, and industry. However, its yields in farmers’ fields in Burkina Faso are low. This is due to production of this crop has low national yields, mainly due to climate variability, and low soil fertility. It is therefore essential to create new high-yielding maize varieties that are stable and adapted to the country’s agro-climatic conditions. This study aimed to contribute to improving maize production by identifying new high-performing and stable hybrids. The plant material, consisting of 36 single-cross white hybrids derived from a half-diallel cross of nine lines were evaluated using a three-replicate alpha-lattice experimental design. Grain yield and its components were recorded during evaluation. The results showed significant difference (p 0.05) between the hybrids studied, environments and study years, as well as their interaction for most of the traits evaluated. T02058 x ELN41-1-1-4, PI601574 x T02058, and VL05616 x ELN41-1-1-4 were identified as high-performing hybrids and stable hybrids across environments. Four hybrids including, PI601574 x T02058, VL05616 x ELN41-1-1-4, PI601574 x ELN41-1-1-4, and PI601500 x T02058, recorded greater yield than the check Bondofa. Their yield advantage compared to Bondofa was at least 30%.