Analysis of Genotype by Environment Interaction in Bread Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L) For Breeding High-Yielding Varieties under Rain-Fed Conditions at Miango And Vom In Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important cereal and food security crop in Nigeria. The current national breeding program aims to select wheat genotypes adapted to rain-fed environment for the release of improved varieties. A critical step to achieve this, is by assessing the Genotype x Environment interaction. In the present study, performance of 50 elite wheat genotypes over 2 locations across the rainy season of 2023 was investigated using GGE biplot analysis in a 5 × 10 Alpha lattice design replicated twice. Data was collected on phenotypic and yield traits, and were subjected to combined analysis of variance. Superior genotypes were identified for grain yield using biplot graphical approach effectively. The difference in environments and genotypes for most of the traits investigated were not statistically significant (P≤ 0.05). The Polygon view of the biplot identified entries G403, G430 and G422 as vertex genotypes in Vom, and entry G415 in Miango signifying them the highest yielding genotypes. The Mean vs Stability biplot revealed entries G433 and G440 as the low yielding genotypes and the entries G430 and G403 were the high yielding genotypes in the studied environments due to the projections of genotypes markers on the A line. The discriminative vs representativeness GGE biplot revealed Miango as the ideal location with the most discriminative ability. The identified high-yielding and stable lines; G403, G415 and G430 could serve as strong candidates for breeding high-yielding wheat lines for climate-resilient wheat breeding.