AMMI biplot analysis for stability in early maturity group of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

Recent predictions on climate change indicate that episodes of unseasonal rains, cold stress, and high temperatures are expected to impact rice production and productivity. To obtain consistent yield across diverse environments, a rice variety should have adaptability and stability to fit into various growing seasons and locations. In the present investigation, AMMI model was employed to assess the stability of nine rice genotypes of the early maturity group across two summer and rainy seasons. Combined analysis of variance expressed a significant genotype, environment and genotype × environment interaction for grain yield and days to 50% flowering. The study also suggested environmental effect as the greatest part of the variation, followed by genotypic and genotype × environment interaction effects for these traits. Biplots and statistics of AMMI identified that G1, G3 and G5 were the most stable and adapted high yielding rice genotypes, while G9, G4 and G6 appeared to be the most stable genotypes with earliness. Hence, these genotypes could be used as directly as varieties or as donors in future breeding programmes for improving rice productivity in the early maturity group after evaluation under multi-location trials.