Multi-environment evaluation of yield stability in finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) using AMMI, GGE, WAASBY and MTSI
Abstract
Genotype × environment interaction (GEI) strongly influences finger millet yield and agronomic performance, making multi-environment testing essential for identifying stable, high-yielding genotypes. This study aims to identify high-yielding and stable finger millet genotypes using complementary stability analyses. A total of 57 finger millet genotypes were evaluated in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with 2 replications across three environments at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Dholi and Pusa), Bihar, India during 2024–25. The GEI was significant for grain yield and for all agronomic traits (p < 0.001). Therefore, genotype performance and stability were assessed using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI), the genotype plus genotype × environment (GGE) biplot, the weighted average of absolute scores of the best linear unbiased predictions of the GEI effects (WAASB) with its superiority index (WAASBY) and the multi-trait stability index (MTSI). Based on the WAASBY, PR 202 (17.82 g per plant), IE 2082 (17.08 g), IE 96 (16.92 g), IE 2097 (16.57 g), GPU 26 (16.15 g), IE 510 (14.49 g) and IE 2062 (11.02 g) genotypes were identified as high yielding and most stable genotypes. Considering all nine traits jointly, MTSI selected IE 2097, MR 6, IE 817, IE 2082, IE 510, PR 202, IE 2062, IE 886 and GPU 28, with a selection differential of +29.82 % for grain high-yielding and stable performers. These genotypes represent promising candidates for multi-environment cultivation and may serve as valuable parental material in finger millet breeding programs.