STATISTICAL-ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF LINE X ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION FOR BIOMASS YIELD IN MAIZE

The maize line x environment interaction for biomass dry matter yield was analysed using a multilocal factorial mating design. Various model s, such as joint regression, biadditive model, factorial regression an d structuring, were performed in order to partition and explain the in teraction. Except for the joint regression model, which oversimplified the interaction pattern, all the models were effective in accounting for the line x environment interaction. Biological connections have be en established between these models. The biological interpretation, us ing additional information, shows that the line x environment interact ion for biomass yield in maize could to a large extent be due to earli ness effects and yield-limiting factors, such as lodging susceptibilit y and water stress. The consequences of interaction modelling in plant breeding are discussed.