Abstract
Analytical approaches are important for identification the causes of Genotype x environment interaction (GEI) in multi-environment trials (MET). The objectives of this investigation were to explore the nature and causes of the GEI in sugarcane under Ethiopian agro ecological conditions. Data of Cane yield, recoverable sucrose% and sugar yield obtained from 13 test environments were subjected to Additive Main and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI2) for empirical study. For environmental characterization, mean values of twenty seven temporal and spatial factors were subjected to Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Moreover, to identify the environmental factors affecting the patterns of GEI and its components, mean values of these factors were correlated with environment AMMI2 IPCA scores of the yield traits studied. Results of the present study indicated that the GEI accounted for larger variation than the genotypic effects which suggested its importance and complexity. The PCA bi-plot successfully identified the environmental factors that most discriminated the test environments (crop years and locations). The correlation analysis between the environmental factors and environmental AMMI2 IPCA scores adequately identified the environmental factors affecting GEI and its components. Soil organic matter% and soil clay%, pan evaporation at establishment, relative humidity at growth stage and harvesting month were the major factors that substantially affect the GEI interaction patterns in cane yield while maximum relative humidity recorded during the growing season, all temperature regimes recorded during the entire growing season and at different crop stages were the major factors that affect GEI in recoverable sucrose%. Moreover, the pattern of GEI in sugar yield was significantly affected by harvest age, percent of clay in soil, altitude, relative humidity at harvest and pan evaporation at establishment. For efficient environmental selection and networks, genotype evaluations and formulation of appropriate sugarcane breeding strategy, f METs should adopt the inclusion of these environmental factors identified as major factors influencing the patterns of GEI. Moreover, more information will be generated if other physiological and soil moisture stress indices are included in future GEI studies in sugarcane.
Highlights
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is an industrial raw material to produce various products for sugar allied industries such as acetic acid, paper, plywood, industrial enzymes and animal feed and as source of renewable energy [1]
The pattern of Genotype x environment interaction (GEI) in sugar yield was significantly affected by harvest age, percent of clay in soil, altitude, relative humidity at harvest and pan evaporation at establishment
Genotypes DB71 060 and FG04 187 were adaptable to Finchaa and Belles agro climatic conditions and are recommended are adaptable these production areas while genotype FG03 372 was adaptable to location Wonji and is recommended for commercial purpose for Wonji agro climatic conditions
Summary
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is an industrial raw material to produce various products for sugar allied industries such as acetic acid, paper, plywood, industrial enzymes and animal feed and as source of renewable energy [1]. It remains the major economic important crop in tropical and sub-tropical countries and its importance has increased in recent years. Fewer sugarcane studies have focused on the interpretation of GEIs to understand the nature and causes thereof. The second strategy involves the correlation of genotypic or environmental scores derived from additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis to genotypic or environmental covariates [5]
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