Evaluating the stability and drought tolerance of maize hybrids using multi-environment and multi-trait analyses
Abstract Drought remains a major constraint on maize productivity in tropical environments. Consequently, maize requires the identification of hybrids that combine high yield with stability across variable conditions. Ten tropical maize hybrids (eight promising candidates and two commercial checks) were evaluated across five environments (three optimal and two drought-stressed) using a randomized complete block design. Significant genotype, environment, and G × E effects (p < 0.01) were detected for nearly all traits, confirming substantial phenotypic variability. Drought stress reduced grain yield by 32.34%, primarily due to declines in ear weight and kernel size. Based on stress tolerance indices, GGE biplot, and WAASB analysis, hybrids G01, G02, and G08 were identified as the most drought-tolerant genotypes with broad stability. MGIDI further confirmed these selections, with G01 specifically achieving the lowest multi-trait distance to the ideotype under both optimal (1.12) and drought conditions (0.56). These results support the recommendation of these superior hybrids for deployment in tropical maize production systems prone to water deficit.