Yield stability and adaptability of lowland sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) in moisture-deficit areas of Northeast Ethiopia

Genotype-environment interaction (GxE) is a common phenomenon in sorghum. The effect of GxE can be reduced by identifying stable genotypes across environments. An investigation was conducted to study yield stability and adaptability of 13 sorghum genotypes across six environments. Additive Main-effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI), Genotype and Genotype-Environment interaction (GGE), and stability analyses were computed. The AMMI analysis explained 68.67% of the GxE variance, while GGE captured 74.41% of the GGE variance. GGE analysis identified Kobo (KB13 and KB14) as a suitable environment for selecting generally adapted lowland sorghum genotypes. The GGE and the stability analyses further identified G13 and G2 as the least and the most desirable sorghum genotypes, respectively. Genotype G2 has high level of adaptability to the northeastern parts of Ethiopia, as evidenced by its high-yielding ability, stability and early maturity. This genotype (G2; WSV-387 x E-36-2) was released with the approval of the National Variety Release Committee in 2017. Need-based large volume seed production, dissemination over a wider area and the consequent adoption of the variety by target farmers would be convenient and fast.