GENOTYPE X ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS IN A 10X10 DIALLEL CROSS OF QUALITY PROTEIN MAIZE (ZEA-MAYS L)

A 10 x 10 diallel cross experiment involving white modified opaque-2 m aize inbred lines was grown at four sites. A stability analysis, based on both a combining ability and a heterotic pattern model, was develo ped. The stability analysis provided information on the genotype x env ironment interaction properties of the 10 inbred lines. The Gail & Sim on (1985) test for qualitative interactions provided a means of determ ining the nature of these interactions. The inbred, SO507W(M), is show n to have the best potential for use in a hybrid breeding programme, i n terms of having the highest weighted general combining ability and l ine heterosis, and the best general adaptability to all four sites. Th e single cross SO713W(P) x RO558W(F) has been identified as one of the genotypes to be used in a recurrent selection programme that favours specific combining ability.