Adaptability and stability analysis of different soybean genotypes using Biplot model

Genotype and environment interaction has always been considered as challenging issue in developing desirable traits. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the performance of ten soybean genotypes under five different environments and regions of Saudi Arabia using GGE-Biplot model during 2015 and 2016 growing seasons. There were significant differences among the tested genotypes, environments, and genotype × environment interactions (GEI) for the plant height, yield and related traits, and water use efficiency (WUE). However, the difference among environments for plant height and seeds per pod, and GEI for seeds per pod and seed index was not significant. Giza 21 and Giza 111 produced the highest seed yield per plant and WUE ranged from 0.40 to 0.60 g L^-1 in genotypes, respectively. The ideotypes for seed yield per plant were Giza 22 and Giza 83, whereas the ideal ideotypes for WUE were X2 L12 and X 32. GGE-biplot of the ten genotypes based on seed yield per plant indicated that Giza 21 and Giza 111 were the best performing genotypes for the eastern region and Giza 111 was the most suitable for the central region. Thus overall, genotype Giza 111 was the most stable, for seed yield, across regions. Comparison of the tested environments suggested that the western region had the most suitable environment for the selection of widely adaptable soybean genotypes across the regions.