YIELD STABILITY OF PURPLE CORN HYBRIDS (Zea mays L.) IN SOUTHERN SONORA, MEXICO

Corn (Zea mays L.) production in Mexico is in deficit despite generating 27 million Mg. In southern Sonora, the planted area has grown significantly over the last four years, from 544 to 680 thousand Mg produced in 2018 and 2021, respectively. Ninety-seven percent of the production corresponds to improved white-colored maize from transnational companies; however, there are no commercial plantings of colored maize. The objective of this research was to estimate grain yield and its agronomic components in improved purple corn hybrids in southern Sonora, Mexico, over three years using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction method (AMMI). A randomized, complete-block experimental design with three replications was used. The plots were two 4 m long furrows with a stocking density of 100 000 plants ha-1. The variables recorded were: grain yield (RG), thousand-kernel weight (PMG), ear length (LM), grains per row (GH), rows per ear (HM), and hectoliter weight (PH). The results showed statistical differences among years, hybrids, and their interaction (AxH) in all variables. The AMMI model was highly effective, allowing the identification of hybrids 1, 2, 7, and 10 with greater stability in the year 2021 associated with RG, PH, and LM, obtaining outstanding averages in all variables and being more appropriate for the climatic conditions of southern Sonora. On the contrary, the most sensitive hybrid with the highest interaction was 4, associated with GH and HM; hybrids 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12 were stable with negative values in 2019 and 2020.