Multi-Environment Evaluation of Bread Wheat Genotypes for Sustainable Production Using AMMI, GGE Biplot and Multi-Trait Stability Index Analyses

Abstract

Climate change and environmental variability pose major challenges to sustainable wheat production, highlighting the need for stable and high-yielding cultivars. This study evaluated fifteen bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes across twelve environments during two consecutive growing seasons using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Stability and performance were assessed using Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI), Genotype main plus Genotype × Environment (GGE) biplot, and multi-trait stability index (MTSI). AMMI combined ANOVA indicated that both grain yield per plot and falling number were significantly affected by genotype, environment and their interaction (GEI). The GGE biplot revealed that the first two principal components together explained 86.92% of the total variation in grain yield per plot and 88.27% for falling number, demonstrating the reliability of the model in interpreting GEI patterns. AMMI and GGE biplot analyses consistently identified Sakha 95 (G1), Misr 4 (G3), Sakha Line#1 (G6), Sakha Line#2 (G7), Gemmeiza Line#2 (G14), and Gemmeiza Line#3 (G15) as high-yielding and stable genotypes across environments. In contrast, Sakha Line#4 (G9), Sakha Line#6 (G11), Sakha Line#7 (G12), and Gemmeiza Line#1 (G13) showed poor adaptation and low stability. MTSI further refined selection by integrating yield and quality traits, identifying Gemmeiza Line#3, Sakha Line#3, Sakha Line#2, and Giza 171 as superior genotypes at 25% selection intensity, characterized by low MTSI values. The identification of stable, high-performing genotypes with desirable grain quality can contribute to sustainable wheat production by improving yield reliability under diverse environmental conditions and supporting more efficient cultivar selection for climate-resilient wheat production. Overall, integrating AMMI, GGE biplot, and MTSI provided a robust framework for identifying stable and high-performing wheat genotypes, supporting selection decisions in multi-environment breeding programs.