Stability and adaptability of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes based on AMMI analysis

Abstract

Evaluation of the stability and adaptability of genotypes across different environment conditions is important for release and recommendation of new varieties to ensure their high adaptability. Plant breeders evaluate germplasms in multi-environment trials to study the stability and adaptability of genotypes (G) and to recommend the genotypes to different environments (E). Multi-environment trials for 11 genotypes including 4 check varieties of cotton were carried out during 3 seasons in 3 locations in Mozambique. The objective of this study was to assess the G x E pattern and to evaluate the stability and adaptability of cotton seed yield of a new germplasm in Mozambique. The experiment was set up in Namialo (district of Meconta province of Nampula), Namara (district of Balama, province of Cabo Delgado) and Nhamatanda (district of Nhamatanda province of Sofala). The treatments consisted of 11 varieties, which were established in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The graphic analysis of additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) were used to understand the G x E interaction pattern and to study the stability and adaptability. The results showed significant effect of genotype, environment and G x E interaction. The first two principal components explained about 80% of the detected interaction. The pair of Environment/Genotype showed the E/G combination for high performance. The genotypes and environments showed genetic and environmental performance dissimilarity. The AMMI revealed that genotypes FK 37, BA 919 and Flash were the most adaptable, while BA 2018 and BA 320 were the most stable across the variation of environments.