Adaptability, yield stability, and agronomic performance of improved purple corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids across diverse agro-ecological zones in Peru

• Autores: Garcia Pando, Gilberto Arquimides, Montero Bances, Fernando, Torres Limascca, Maria Elena, Alvarez Contreras, Selwyn Omar, Vasquez Damiano, Wildo, Villantoy Palomino, Abraham, Ruiz, Yoel, Escobal Valencia, Fernando, Cántaro Segura, Hector Baroni, Paitamala Campos, Omar, Matsusaka Quiliano, Daniel Claudio
• Formato: artículo
• Fecha de Publicación: 2025
• Institución: Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria
• Repositorio: INIA-Institucional
• Lenguaje: inglés
• OAI Identifier: oai:repositorio.inia.gob.pe:20.500.12955/2985
• Enlace del recurso: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12955/2985; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb17010003
• Nivel de acceso: acceso abierto
• Materia: Purple corn; Genotype × environment interaction; AMMI and GGE biplot; Yield stability; Multi-environmental trials; Maíz morado; Interacción genotipo × ambiente; Biplot AMMI y GGE; Estabilidad del rendimiento; Ensayos multiambientales; https://purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#4.01.01; Zea mays; Genotipo; Genotypes; Adaptabilidad; Adaptability; Zona agroecológica; Agroecological zones; Antocianina; Anthocyanins; Ensayo de variedades; Variety trials; Mejoramiento genético; Genetic improvement

Purple corn (Zea mays L.) is a nutraceutical crop of increasing economic importance in Peru, yet its productivity is highly influenced by genotype × environment (G × E) interactions across heterogeneous agro-ecological zones. Therefore, selecting suitable genotypes for specific environments is essential to optimize variety deployment and maximize site-specific yield. Five purple-maize genotypes (INIA-601, INIA-615, Canteño, PMV-581, and Sintético-MM) were evaluated in four contrasting Peruvian sites using a randomized complete-block design. Grain yield, field weight, anthesis–silking interval (ASI), plant height, and ear-rot incidence were analyzed with combined analysis of variance (ANOVA), the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI), genotype and genotype-by-environment (GGE) biplots, Weighted Average of Absolute Scores (WAAS), weighted average of absolute scores and best yield index (WAASBY), and Y × WAAS indices. Environment accounted for 90.1% of field-weight variation (p < 0.0001) and 50.2% of grain-yield variation (p < 0.001), while significant G × E interactions (3.93% and 18.14%, respectively) justified bilinear modeling. AMMI1 and GGE "which-won-where" biplots identified INIA-615 and PMV-581 as broadly adapted, with INIA-615 achieving the highest WAASBY and positioning in quadrant IV of Y × WAAS (high yield, high stability). INIA-601 and Sintético-MM exhibited exceptional stability (low ASV) but moderate productivity; Canteño showed limited adaptability. Chumbibamba emerged as a key discriminating, high-productivity location. From an agronomic perspective, INIA-615 is recommended for high-productivity valleys such as Sulluscocha and Santa Rita, where its yield potential and stability are maximized. These findings underscore the potential of integrating multivariate stability metrics with physiological and disease-resistance traits to guide the selection of superior purple corn cultivars. Overall, INIA-615 represents a robust candidate for enhancing yield stability, supporting sustainable intensification, and expanding the nutraceutical value chain of purple corn in the Andean highlands.