Performance of nine maize (Zea mays) varieties in Guinea savannah agro-ecological zone of Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the agronomic performance, yield potential, and adaptability of nine maize varieties across three agro-ecological locations (Jalingo, Bali, and Wukari) in Taraba State during the 2025 cropping season. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected on vegetative growth, flowering, ear characteristics, yield components, and grain yield. Data subjected to Pearson correlation, analysis of variance, and Duncan's Multiple Range Test was used to separate significant means (p<0.05). The result revealed significant effects of genotype, location, and genotype-location interaction for most traits, indicating substantial genetic variability among the varieties. Broad-sense heritability ranged from 35.74% for days to 50% tasselling to 99.20% for fresh cob weight, while grain yield exhibited high heritability (97.69%), confirming strong genetic control. Plant height, leaf number, fresh cob weight, and dry cob weight were positively correlated with grain yield, indicating their usefulness as indirect selection criteria. Across environments, LW1701-10 consistently produced the tallest plants, highest fresh and dry cob weights, and superior grain yield per plant in Jalingo and Wukari. Conversely, SAMMAZ 24 recorded the best ear characteristics and highest grain yield in Bali. Consequently, LW1701-10 is recommended for cultivation in Jalingo and Wukari, whereas SAMMAZ 24 is recommended for Bali based on site-specific superiority. However, due to significant genotype-location interactions, further multi-environment trials and formal stability analyses are recommended to confirm broader regional adaptation.