Research Information System
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE, vol.12, no.136, pp.1-13, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
White maize (Zea mays L.) is increasingly valued for
diversified food uses, yet agronomic performance and nutritional quality can
fluctuate markedly across humid temperate seasons. This study evaluated 14
white maize testcross genotypes, including the commercial check P2948W, across
five consecutive field seasons (2020-2024) in the Black Sea Region of Türkiye.
Phenology and plant architecture, fresh biomass yield (t ha-1), major
compositional traits (protein, oil, starch, cellulose and ash), and macro- and microelement
concentrations (Ca, Mg, K, P, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn) were assessed using
near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and standard field protocols. Data were
analyzed using linear mixed-effects models to partition genotype, year and
genotype x year (GxY) effects, followed by multivariate visualization (genotype
x trait, GT, biplot) and stability assessment using AMMI and GGE biplot
approaches (with years treated as environments). Fresh biomass yield showed
wide genotypic variation (72.30-114.36 t ha-1), with P2948W ranking highest and
TTBYM2019-37 lowest on the across-year mean basis, whereas pollen shedding
occurred within a narrower window (73.7-78.1 days after planting). In contrast,
most compositional traits and mineral means exhibited limited genotypic separation
in the combined analysis, indicating strong seasonal influence on quality and
mineral expression. Overall, the combined mixed-model and stability framework
supports evidence-based selection of high-biomass, broadly adapted white maize
candidates for regional cultivar development and provides a transparent basis
for multi-year evaluation of quality and mineral attributes.