Genetic gain and selection of stable genotypes in high zinc rice using AMMI and BLUP based stability methods

Rice is the staple food of almost half of the world’s population, impacting nutrition especially in children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. Because the traits were quantitatively inherited, they are affected by changes in location and year. A RBD with three replications was used to identify superior and stable high-zinc rice genotypes in Uttar Pradesh, India. Grain zinc content (GZC) is negatively correlated with grain yield using genetic association study. There was a significant G × E interaction (GEI) and V16 and V21 for GYP and V9, V2 and V10 for GZC were identified as stable based on the AMMI model and bi-plot. V11, V5, V21 for grain yield per plant (GYP) and for GZC, V14, and V10 are found to be stable and common in all AMMI stability parameters. V6, V13 and V5 for GYP and V10, V8 and V2 for GZC were identified as stable based on the mean vs. WAASB bi-plot. V21 for GYP and V4 for GZC was the highest yielder and widely adaptable based on WAASBY scores. V13 for GYP and V1 for GZC were all-time winners. V13 and V1 have the highest predicted mean for GYP and GZC, respectively, based on BLUP. V6, V21and V13 were identified as stable and selected based on the multi-trait stability index (MTSI). These selected genotypes selected through BLUP-based stability methods, MTSI, and strength and weakness plots make it easier to evaluate and select genotypes for varietal recommendations and future Zn-fortified rice breeding studies. Keywords: GEI, High Zinc Rice, MTSI, Stable genotype