Genotype by environment interaction and seed yield stability study of Ethiopian sesame ( <i>Sesamum indicum</i> L.) genotypes at Western Oromia

Abstract Sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) is an important oil crop in the world. A significant genotype by environmental interaction (GEI) presents challenges in the selection of superior genotypes. The study was initiated to identify stable and high‐yielding sesame genotypes. Accordingly, 16 sesame genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design at six distinct environments. All‐important data were collected and analyzed using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). Most of the analyzed traits showed highly significant differences for genotypes, location, and genotype by environment (GE) interaction, which indicated the presence of genetic variability among tested genotypes across environments. Stability analysis was estimated by the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model and genotype and genotype by environment (GGE) biplots. AMMI analysis of variance revealed highly significant ( p &lt; 0.01) variations among environments, genotypes, GE interaction, and four interaction principal component analyses (IPCAs). The first four IPCAs (IPCA1, IPCA2, IPCA3, and IPCA4) showed high significance and contributed 56.3%, 23.9%, 11.3%, and 2.3% of the total GE interaction, respectively. Genotypes G15 and G4 had higher with close to concentric circles indicating the wide adaptability over the tested environments and similar agroecology. In addition, the genotypes showed microbial blight resistance in western parts of Ethiopia and hence were selected as potential candidates for possible release in the study area.