Identification of mega-environments for grain sorghum in Brazil using GGE biplot methodology

What is it about?

The performance of genotypes in a wide range of environments can be affected by extensive genotype × environment (G × E) interactions, making the subdivision of the testing environments into relatively more homogeneous groups of locations (mega-environments) a necessary strategy. The GGE biplot method allows identification of mega-environments and selection of stable genotypes adapted to specific environments and mega-environments. The objectives of this study were to identify mega-environments regarding sorghum grain yield and demonstrate that the GGE biplot method can identify essential locations for conducting tests in different mega-environments. A total of 22 competition trials of grain sorghum genotypes were conducted over three crop seasons across several production locations in Brazil. A total of 25, 22, and 30 genotypes were evaluated during the first, second, and third crop seasons, respectively. After identifying the presence of G × E interactions, the data were subjected to adaptability and stability analyses using the GGE biplot method. A phenotypic correlation network was used to express functional relationships between environments. The GGE biplot was found to be an efficient approach for identifying three mega-environments in grain sorghum in Brazil, selecting representative and discriminative environments, and recommending more adaptive and stable grain sorghum genotypes.

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Photo by Denise Bossarte on Unsplash

Photo by Denise Bossarte on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The performance of genotypes in a wide range of environments can be affected by extensive genotype × environment (G × E) interactions, making the subdivision of the testing environments into relatively more homogeneous groups of locations (mega-environments) a necessary strategy. The GGE biplot method allows identification of mega-environments and selection of stable genotypes adapted to specific environments and mega-environments. The objectives of this study were to identify mega-environments regarding sorghum grain yield and demonstrate that the GGE biplot method can identify essential locations for conducting tests in different mega-environments. A total of 22 competition trials of grain sorghum genotypes were conducted over three crop seasons across several production locations in Brazil. A total of 25, 22, and 30 genotypes were evaluated during the first, second, and third crop seasons, respectively. After identifying the presence of G × E interactions, the data were subjected to adaptability and stability analyses using the GGE biplot method. A phenotypic correlation network was used to express functional relationships between environments. The GGE biplot was found to be an efficient approach for identifying three mega-environments in grain sorghum in Brazil, selecting representative and discriminative environments, and recommending more adaptive and stable grain sorghum genotypes.