Genotype x environment interaction analysis of Triticum aestivum L. for yield components

Abstract

Abstract. Genotypes performance changes due to environmental pressures or stresses and differences in their ability to adapt to the stress factors. Drought is the main abiotic stress factor affecting bread wheat yield and yield component. The experiment was carried out in the experimental field of Trakia Agricultural Research Institute, Edirne (Turkey), in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, and 15 wheat genotypes were planted in RCBD in a split-plot with three replications. The main plots were assigned to five moisture regimes, which included 3 drought stress environments, one non-stress and one non-treatment environment. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were used to determine genotypes environment interaction. Grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, spike number per square meter, kernel and spikelet number per spike, length of spike and plant height were investigated. PCA indicated that the first (46.31%) and second (25.32%) components justified 71.63% of variations in the investigated yield parameters of the genotypes. Based on GGE biplot results, Kate A-1 and Tekirdağ genotypes were determined as the most stable cultivars for grain yield. Mean values of the genotypes varied between 3830-6583 kg ha-1 for grain yield, 20170-25394 kg ha-1 for biological yield, 68.6-110.9cm for plant height, 30.2-38.3 for kernel number in spike, 328.8-486.6 for spike number per square meter and 6.57-9.17cm for spike length. Clusters I and II were more clearly separated. In the first group of clusters 6 genotypes are located including one line and five cultivars. In the second group of clusters 8 genotypes are located including five advanced lines and four cultivars.