Selecting High-Performing and Stable Pea Genotypes in Multi-Environmental Trial (MET): Applying AMMI, GGE-Biplot, and BLUP Procedures

Abstract

A large amount of data on various traits is accumulated over the course of a breeding program and can be used to optimize various aspects of the crop improvement pipeline. We leveraged data from advanced yield trials (AYT) of three classes of peas (green, yellow, and winter peas) collected over ten years (2012–2021) to analyze and test key aspects fundamental to pea breeding. Six balanced datasets were used to test the predictive success of the BLUP and AMMI family models. Predictive assessment using cross-validation indicated that BLUP offered better predictive accuracy as compared to any AMMI family model. However, BLUP may not always identify the best genotype that performs well across environments. AMMI and GGE, two statistical tools used to exploit GE, could fill this gap and aid in understanding how genotypes perform across environments. AMMI’s yield by environmental IPCA1, WAASB by yield plot, and GGE biplot were shown to be useful in identifying genotypes for specific or broad adaptability. When compared to the most favorable environment, we observed a yield reduction of 80–87% in the most unfavorable environment. The seed yield variability across environments was caused in part by weather variability. Hotter conditions in June and July as well as low precipitation in May and June affected seed yield negatively. In conclusion, the findings of this study are useful to breeders in the variety selection process and growers in pea production.