Phenotypic adaptability and stability of herbaceous cotton genotypes in the Semiarid region of the Northeast of Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) crop areas in the Northeast region of Brazil present high edaphoclimatic variability, which contributes to a strong genotype versus environment interaction (G × E). This situation requires the use of adaptability and stability methodologies to study G × E interaction before the selection and recommendation of cultivars. Among these methodologies, the genotype + G × E (GGE) biplot analysis has been currently used and highly recommended. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the G × E of cotton genotypes through GGE biplot analysis, focusing on the identification of adapted and stable genotypes for the Semiarid region of the Northeast of Brazil. Four crop value and use tests were conducted in the municipalities of Apodi, state of Rio Grande do Norte, and Barbalha, state of Ceará, Brazil, in 2016 and 2017. A randomized block experimental design, with 17 treatments and four repetitions, was used. The treatments consisted of 17 cotton genotypes. The variables evaluated were: cotton seed and fiber yields. According to the analysis, the genotypes CNPA BA 2011-4436, CNPA BA 2011-1197, and CNPA BA 2010-1174 were stable and presented high adaptability to the evaluated region.