Selection of superior fodder maize (Zea mays) parental inbreds using multi trait genotype ideotype distance index (MGIDI) andmulti trait stability index (MTSI)

Fodder maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the highly nutritious and palatable forage crop among the cereal fodders. For identifying the superior parents for hybridization, breeders have to identify the best performing inbreds by evaluating different plant variables. However, selecting a genotype that excels across multiple traits is a complex and challenging task. The most widely used selection index method is Smith-Hazel model mainly based on phenotypic covariance matrices inversion. In this multi trait selection method, the presence of multicollinearity leads to inefficient estimates of selection gain. Therefore, the new genetic statistical selection indices like multi trait genotype ideotype distance index (MGIDI) and multi trait stability index (MTSI) were employed in the present experiment for selection of superior and stable performing genotypes among the 28 fodder maize inbreds. The MGIDI analysis in 28 fodder maize inbreds evaluated in three different seasons namely rainy (kharif) 2022, winter (rabi) 2022 and summer 2023, revealed that African Tall, TNFM 139-1 and GETM 25 identified as superior genotypes across the three different seasons consistently. Similarly, MTSI analysis pertaining to the stability of genotypes indicated genotypes, viz. UMI 1201, N-09-160-2, GETM 25, 52485, UMI 1210 and N 66 to be superior and stable. The identified superior fodder maize inbreds could be used in breeding programme to develop heterotic single cross fodder maize hybrids.