Dissection of genotype-by-environment interaction and stability analysis of major fatty acids in sunflower

ABSTRACT Stability of fatty acids in response to environmental conditions determines the oil quality of sunflower. The aim of this study was determining the stability of major fatty acids of sunflower under optimum and drought stress conditions in diverse regions in Iran. Thirteen sunflower hybrids were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications under optimum and drought stress conditions in Isfahan, Karaj and Kermanshah in Iran, during two years (2019–2020). The data for fatty acids were graphically analyzed using GGE-biplot method. The fatty acids contents were affected differentially by geographic locations and climatic conditions. Palmitic acid was more stable than the other fatty acids throughout the locations. Cluster analysis confirmed a location-related fatty acid expression for oleic acid content. Palmitic acid content was enhanced by drought stress. A minimum set of test environments were identified for evaluation of sunflower hybrids in terms of fatty acid content as E10 and E12 for palmitic acid, E2, E10 and E11 for stearic acid, E2, E5 and E6 for linoleic acid and E10 for oleic acid content. The results confirmed that GGE- biplot methodology could identify specific adapted hybrids to different conditions in terms of fatty acid contents.