Evaluation of the effect of genotype, environment and genotype X environment interaction on white common bean varieties using additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis in the mid-altitude of Bale zone, Southeastern Ethiopia

Twelve white common bean genotypes were evaluated along two checks at three diverse locations in the mid-altitude of Bale zone, southeastern Ethiopia for two consecutive years 2014 and 2015 in order to determine their stability. The genotype by environment interaction (GEI) has an influence on the selection and recommendation of cultivars. The objective of this work was to see the effect of GEI and evaluate the adaptability and stability of productivity of twelve white common bean genotypes using additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model. The combined analysis of variance over locations revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes, locations and genotypes by location interaction. Among the 14 genotypes, the maximum grain yield over locations was obtained by genotype (G5) ICN Bunsi X S X B 405/5C-1C-1C-51 (2.05t/ha) followed by (G11) ICN Bunsi X S X B 405/7C-1C-1C-30 (1.96t/ha), and the site that gave the maximum grain yield was Ginir (2.16t/ha). The results of AMMI analysis indicated that the first four AMMI (AMMI-AMMI4) were highly significant (P<0.01). The GEI - was two times higher than that of the genotype effect, suggesting the possible existence of different environment groups. Based on the stability parameters like AMMI stability value (ASV), G12, G5, G7, G11, G3 and G13 were found to be as stable cultivars, respectively. As stability per se is not a desirable selection criterion and the most stable genotypes would not necessarily give the best yield performance, simultaneous consideration of grain yield and ASV in a single non-parametric index were also considered in identification of best varieties. Based on the Genotype Selection Index (GSI), which considers both the ASV and mean grain yield, genotype G5 and G11 were identified as stable genotypes for the study areas. Key words: AMMI Stability Value (ASV), Common bean, Genotype Selection Index (GSI), GE interactions