THE BIPLOT DISPLAY OF THE TALL FESCUE TURF VARIETY TRIAL DATA

Abstract

Tire interpretation of variety trials conducted with many genotypes (G) grown in many environments (E) is usually complicated by the presence of the significant G × E interaction. The common statistical analysis using ANOVA and linear regression techniques are often inadequate to study the complex two-way data structure. The biplot, a multivariate technique provides, a graphical representation of the interaction, which allows the response of each G in each E to be displayed in a two dimensional plot. It displays not only the configuration of G and E, but it also relates the two. The importance of biplot display is illustrated by using the tall fescue variety trial data on mean quality ratings published by the National Turfgrass Evacuation Program. The biplot displays about 60% of the information in the 24 (G) × 23 (E) data matrix. Environments TX3 and GA1 responded differently from other environments. Based on the biplot display genotypes are grouped and their significance will be discussed.