Multi-environment evaluation and identification of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) genotypes for superior agronomic and nutritional potential in the North-Western Himalayas

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn) is an important underutilized coarse cereal, grown for its excellent nutritional, health value and therapeutic effects. Despite its growing demand, there are limited studies that have focused on its genotypic variability and genotype-environmental interaction (GEI), particularly in the North-Western Himalayas. This study evaluated 24 Tartary buckwheat genotypes across five specific test environments (E1-E5) for 9 agronomic and 6 nutritional traits to estimate the effects of genotype (G), environment (E) and their interaction (GEI) using Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI), Genotype and Genotype × Environment Interaction (GGE) biplot, Weighted Average of Absolute Scores (WAAS), Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) and the Multi-Trait Stability Index. The results revealed significant GEI effects for all the evaluated traits. High heritability and genetic advance as a percentage of the mean for number of seeds per plant and seed yield per plant, suggested strong potential for genetic improvement. Based on mean performance, AMMI, WAAS, WAASBY and GGE analysis, genotypes G2, G13, G19, G1, G15 and G23 were found fairly stable alongside superior trait performance and nutritional content. Environmental analysis highlighted E2, E5 and E4 at Palampur (H.P.), as the most representative and discriminating environments. Multi-trait stability index analysis identified genotypes G2, G13, G1 and G19 as the most stable and ideal. These findings provide critical insights into the adaptability and performance of buckwheat genotypes under diverse agro-climatic conditions. Hence, these genotypes can serve as valuable resources for breeding programs aimed at developing high-yielding, nutritionally enhanced Tartary buckwheat varieties suitable for the North-Western Himalayan region.