Genotype × Environment interaction for cane yield of sugarcane varieties (Saccharum officinarum L.) in the three agro-climatic zones of Chhattisgarh

An experiment was carried out to ascertain the Gene × Environment interaction (GEI), yield stability and adaptability of 24 sugarcane varieties (Saccharum officinarum L.) across three locations in Chhattisgarh India through AMMI and GGE biplot analysis. In the analysis of variance, 75% of the cane yield variation was explained by the differences among varieties, 18.5% by the environment and 6.5% by GE interaction. AMMI analyses revealed significant (P < 0.01) genotype and environmental effects as well as G × E with respect to cane yield. GGE-biplot model showed that the three environments belonged to three mega-environments as an obtuse angle was observed between the E1 to E2, E2 to E3 and E3 to E1. According to AMMI and the GGE results, varieties G 19 (CoS 8436 local check), G12 (VSI 8005), the check variety G24 (CoC 0671), and G21 (Co 86032) were the most productive in tons of sugar per hectare and stable and recommended for the test environments. Genotypes, CoS 8436 and Co99006 were considered under specific adaptation to Ambikapur due to high cane yield and large IPCA score whereas, Co 99004 and VSI 8005 had high positive interaction with Kawardha while, CoJN 86-600 was found suitable for Jagdalpur. Among environments, Ambikapur (E₂) and Kawardha (E₁) had highest main effect and were favourable to the performance of most of the genotypes but had high interaction value E₂ (9.35) and E₁ (-5.24), while E3 (-4.11) had low main effect and was very poor. Co 99004 (Damodar) and CoC 0671 could also be used as parents for sugarcane improvement programme.