YIELD STABILITY AND GRAIN AND TORTILLA QUALITY OF NEW MAIZE HYBRIDS WITH ADDED VALUE FOR THE SUBTROPICS OF MEXICO

Abstract

The aim of this work was to identify maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes with stability on grain yield and potential for the masa and tortilla industry, by evaluating the effect of the genotype by environment interaction of eight genotypes grown in eight environments in the subtropics of Mexico. During the spring-summer seasons of 2015 and 2016 we evaluated maize genotypes with added value: three high-oil hybrids (H-327 AO, H-388 O, H-389 O), a quality protein maize hybrid (H-390 C), a yellow normal endosperm hybrid (H- 387 A), and commercial hybrids as control (H-377, H-383 C, DK2027Y). By means of sites regression model, the high-oil hybrid H-389 O was identified as one of the higher grain yield (12.07 t ha^-1), more stable, with good grain quality and soft tortillas, both fresh and stored. In 2015 higher precipitation increased the accumulation of starch, grain density and hardness. Carotenoids content of H-387 A (12.11 μg g^-1 maize) was higher than yellow control (2.72 μg g^-1); therefore, it could have nutraceutical potential. The H-390 C hybrid did not highlight for its lysine and tryptophan content. Although the rest of genotypes were not stable on grain yield, they had grains with suitable characteristics for processing and for producing acceptable tortilla yield (1.5 kg kg^-1 maize).