Evaluation of agronomic performance and grain yield stability of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes in East Shewa zone, Oromia

A field experiment was conducted at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center, as well as in the Lume and Dugda Districts, during the main cropping seasons of 2022 and 2023. The purpose of this study was to identify stable and high yielder bread wheat genotypes in the East Shewa Zone across three distinct districts. These districts exhibit varying environmental conditions and altitudes, with a diversity of soil types characterized by differing compositions. A total of fifteen genotypes were precisely evaluated utilizing a randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant effects of genotype, environment, and their interaction on grain yield. Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis indicated that the environment significantly influenced yield, accounting for 48.78% of the total variation, followed by genotype (23.89%) and genotype × environment interaction (16.19%). The first two interaction principal components (IPCA-I and IPCA-II) explained 44.6% and 27.7% of the genotype × environment interaction, respectively, and were used to assess stability. Based on stability parameters (ASV and GGE-Biplot) and mean grain yield, genotypes G-6, G-1, and G-5 were identified as stable and high-yielding candidates for potential release. AMMI and GGE-biplot analyses revealed specific adaptation patterns among genotypes, with some performing better in particular environments. These findings highlight the importance of multi-environmental trials for accurate genotype evaluation. Given their yield and stability, genotypes G-6, G-1, and G-5 were promising resources for improving bread wheat productivity in East Shewa Zone and similar agro-ecologies. We recommend further validation trials and farmer participatory evaluations to ensure acceptability and performance under on-farm conditions. Additionally, these superior genotypes could be used as parents in future breeding programs. © 2024 The Author(s)