Genotype X Environment Interaction and Yield Performance of 43 Improved Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Genotypes at Three Agro-climatic Zones in Nigeria

Aim: To determine the possible effects of environment and genotypic differences on root yield and other related traits.
Methodology: 43 improved cassava genotypes were evaluated for root yield, root number, root dry matter, cassava mosaic disease and Cassava bacterial disease. The experiments were conducted using a randomized complete-block design with four replications for two years in three representative agro-ecological zones (Mokwa, Ibadan and Onne) in Nigeria. The data collected were subjected to combined analyses of variance using the GLM procedure of Statistical Analysis System (SAS 9.2) to determine the magnitude of the main effects and interactions. GGEbiplot software (GGEbiplot, 2007) was applied for visual examination of the GEI pattern of the data.
Results: Genotype, Location and genotype by environment (GXE) interaction were highly significant for all the traits studied (P< 0.001), indicating genetic variability between genotypes by changing environments. The partitioning of GGE through GGE biplot analysis showed that PC1 and PC2 accounted for 61.3% and 28.8% of GGE sum of squares respectively for root yield, explaining a total of 90.1% variation.

Conclusion: Genotypes G4 and G15 were the highest yielding and stable genotypes. G2 and G7 were equally stable but with poor roots yield. G43, which had a mean yield similar to the grand mean, may be regarded as a desirable genotype. Mokwa and Ibadan were found to be the most discriminative and the least representative environments for root yields while Onne environment was found to be the most representative and the least discriminative.