The AMMI model application to analyze the genotype–environmental interaction of spring wheat grain yield for the breeding program purposes

Abstract

Changing climatic conditions and the emphasis on the cultivation of genetically stable and resilient varieties as well as efficiently managing water and mineral resources require the commencement of appropriate research already at the stage of plant breeding. For this purpose, breeders must have the necessary tools not only in the form of an experimental network, but also statistical tools that enable the correct interpretation of the obtained results. In the presented research, the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model, supplemented with cluster analysis, was used to assess the stability and yielding level of 26 spring wheat genotypes, in six locations. The main reason for the yield variability in studied genotypes was environmental factor (89%). In spite of differential conditions in the experimental network locations, the studied environments, which had a similar effect on the genotypes, in the growing season of 2021, were grouped. The AMMI stability value (ASV), yield stability index (YSI) and genotype selection index (GSI) coefficients were used to evaluate the studied genotypes. Based on the analyses, the following genotypes were selected for further breeding work: STH 21-03, STH 21-09 and KOH 18279, as stable and widely adapted.