Maize is the second staple food after rice that supports livestock feed and the rural economies of smallholder farmers. However, the broad agroecological variability causes variations in maize (Zea mays L.) productivity due to genotype-environment interaction (GEI) in Indonesia. Thus, the following study aimed to evaluate the promising maize hybrids with favorable environments using the GGE (genotype + genotype × environment) biplot through GEIs. Seventeen single-cross maize hybrids and two check cultivars (NASA-29 and P-36) underwent evaluation in 2021 through a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at nine locations in Indonesia. Results revealed significant differences among genotypes, environments, and their interactions (p < 0.01), indicating strong GEI effects. Based on the biplot analysis, West Lombok emerged as the most favorable environment, while Manado was the most unfavorable environment for maize hybrid productivity. Based on the GGE biplot analysis, hybrid ST-201328 demonstrated the highest grain yield and stability, becoming the most recommendable as a promising maize hybrid in Indonesia. These findings underscore the usefulness of the GGE biplot analysis in guiding hybrid selection and targeting suitable test sites for future hybrid maize breeding and development programs.

Keywords: Maize (Z. mays L.), promising hybrids, favorable location, GGE biplot, genotype-by-environment interactions, grain yield

Key findings: According to this study, West Lombok is distinctly the most favorable environment for maize (Z. mays L.) production, while Manado is the most unfavorable. Hybrid ST-201328 demonstrated the highest grain yield and stability and came as the most recommended promising maize hybrid in Indonesia.