Adapting cucurbits to diverse environments: Insights from GEI studies

Recently, there has been increasing concern about crop failures and yield gaps attributed to climate change, as certain genotypes fail to achieve the desired yields or quality due to variations in external temperatures. To address this issue, breeders are working to develop climate-resilient varieties by incorporating relevant genes into cultivars or genotypes or by utilizing desirable source plants in the breeding process. Additionally, management practices are being implemented to mitigate environmental impacts. Multi-environmental trials (METs) are commonly employed by breeders to assess the adaptability of specific genotypes or cultivars across different locations and time periods. The data collected from these trials is then analyzed using stability statistical models designed for stability analysis, which allows for the evaluation of cultivar or genotype performance under varied environmental conditions. Over the past six decades, there has been a significant focus on modeling genotype-environment interactions (GEI), leading to the development of various mathematical methods and models to decipher GEI in METs, often referred to as "stability analyses." In the era of omics, phenomics techniques have emerged as valuable tools for screening morphological and physiological variations in genotypes resulting from environmental factors. This review emphasizes the importance of GEI in cucurbits, highlighting how environmental stress can alter physiological traits such as stomatal conductance, single leaf area, rooting depth, and membrane composition. Furthermore, it notes the accumulation of stress-related proteins under stress conditions, underscoring the significance of understanding GEI for effective crop management and breeding programs.