Quality protein maize under stress environments: gene action and genotype x environment effects

Abstract

The study used quality protein maize (QPM) materials representing tropical and sub-tropical germplasm available for utilization in QPM breeding programs in Eastern and Southern Africa. The materials were evaluated in environments ranging from deficient to optimal conditions both for nitrogen and water availability.It was found out that though nitrogen and water deficiency reduced grain yield and adversely affected both endosperm hardness and protein quality, these undesirable genetics effects could be ameliorated through selection, to develop high yielding and reliable QPM cultivars suitable for cultivation in stress prone environments of Eastern and southern Africa.