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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Houma, Louisiana » Sugarcane Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #316318
Title: Biplot evaluation of test environments and identification of mega-environments for sugarcane cultivars in China

Author
item LUO, JUN - Fujian Agricultural & Forestry University
item Pan, Yong-Bao
item YOUXIONG, QUE - Fujian Agricultural & Forestry University
item ZHANG, HUA - Fujian Agricultural & Forestry University
item Grisham, Michael
item LIPING, XU - Fujian Agricultural & Forestry University

Submitted to: Scientific Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/28/2015
Publication Date: 10/22/2015
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/61894
Citation: Luo, J., Pan, Y.-B., Youxiong, Q., Zhang, H., Grisham, M.P., Liping, X. 2015. Biplot evaluation of test environments and identification of mega-environments for sugarcane cultivars in China. Scientific Reports. 5:15505. doi:10.1038/srep15505.

Interpretive Summary: The yield capacity of a sugarcane cultivar is affected heavily by interaction between the genetic makeup of the cultivar and farm environmental conditions. To properly assess the yield potential of any sugarcane cultivar, breeders need to conduct varietal evaluation studies at multiple locations through several years of cropping. How to analyze the evaluation data and recommend the best cultivar(s) for commercial production remains a challenge for the sugarcane breeders. In this study, the cane yield data from a three-year field trial involving 21 cultivars and 14 different geographical locations were analyzed using two computer-based statistical methods. The first method is called analysis of variance or ANOVA. The second method is called heritability adjusted - genotype main effect plus genotype × environment interaction or HA-GGE biplot. Results of the analysis indicated that year x location had a greater impact on cane yield than genotype or GE interaction alone. Among the interactive factors, the GE interaction showed the greatest impact on cane yield, while genotype x year showed the least impact. Location wise, Zhangzhou of Fujian was the best location to screen new cultivars for unique genotypes, while Baise of Guangxi was not. Kaiyuan, Lincang and Baoshan of Yunnan, Fuzhou of Fujian, and Hechi, Liuzhou and Chongzuo of Guangxi, and Lingao of Hainan were ideal locations for yield trials. Based on the HA-GGE biplot analysis, there were three ecological zones for sugarcane production in China, namely, the Southern China Inland Sugarcane Production Zone, the Southwestern Plateau Sugarcane Production Zone, and the Southern Coastal Sugarcane Production Zone. Aside from providing a basis for this ecological zoning, the HA-GGE biplot analysis can also be a very useful tool in evaluating suitable planting environments for different sugarcane cultivars.

Technical Abstract: Evaluation of test environments and classification of regional ecological zones are the two key issues in regional testing of sugarcane cultivars. In the present study, sugarcane yield data from a three-year nationwide field trial involving 21 cultivars and 14 pilot test locations were analyzed by using both ANOVA (analysis of variance) and HA-GGE [heritability adjusted (HA) - genotype main effect (G) plus genotype × environment (GE) interaction] biplot. The results showed that plant year x location had a greater impact on cane yield than genotype or GE interaction alone. Among the interactive factors, the GE interaction showed the greatest impact, while the genotype and plant year interaction showed the lowest impact. Location wise, Zhangzhou of Fujian was the best location to screen new cultivars for unique genotypes. Baise of Guangxi was not. Kaiyuan, Lincang and Baoshan of Yunnan, Fuzhou of Fujian, and Hechi, Liuzhou and Chongzuo of Guangxi, and Lingao of Hainan were ideal locations for sugarcane trials. Based on HA-GGE biplot analysis, there are three ecological sugarcane production zones in China. Baise, Laibing, and Liuzhou of Guangxi represent the Southern China Inland Sugarcane Production Zone. Baoshan, Kaiyuan, Lincang, and Ruili of Yunnan represent the Southwestern Plateau Sugarcane Production Zone. Fuzhou and Zhangzhou of Fujian, Zhanjiang and Suixi of Guangdong, Lingao of Hainan, and Chongzuo of Guangxi represent the Southern Coastal Sugarcane Production Zone. The HA-GGE biplot analysis can be a very useful tool in assessing planting environments for sugarcane cultivars. It also provides the basis for ecological regionalization of sugarcane cultivars.