Evaluation of resistance and stability of new sugar beet hybrids in field conditions infected with rhizoctonia root and crown rot disease

AbstractBackground The methods utilized to analyze genotype by environment interaction (GEI) and assess the stability and adaptability of genotypes are constantly changing and developing. In this study, 13 different sugar beet genotypes were grown in four naturally infected locations over two years. They were also assessed for resistance to Rhizoctonia disease in microplots artificially inoculated with the R133 isolate ofRhizoctonia solani. Results The additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis showed that both environment and genotype had significant additive effects, while GEI had a significant multiplicative effect. Further analysis of the interaction effects using IPCs revealed that the first three IPCs were significant. Based on the AMMI1 biplot, Rc3, Rc6, and Rc11 were recognized as the most stable genotypes. The TOPSIS calculated from AMMI statistics identified Rc3 as the most stable genotype. The LMM showed that the genotype and GEI were significant. Based on the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP), Rc6 had the highest predicted mean white sugar yield (WSY). The obtained TOPSIS from BLUP statistics introduced Rc3 and Rc9 as the most stable genotypes. The WSY and WAASB biplot showed that Rc3, Rc5, and Rc11 had higher WSY in addition to stability. In terms of WAASBY/WSY ratio, BTS233, Rc5, and Rc7 were found to be stable genotypes. The simultaneous ranking and selection of genotypes based on the 50/50 ratio for WAASB and WSY yielded somewhat different results, with Rc3, Rc6, and Rc11 having relatively higher WAASBY values. Conclusion Based on the results, the AMMI alone cannot be successful in analyzing the structure of the LMM. In such a situation, using BLUP can bring better and more reliable results. However, the combination of AMMI power and BLUP prediction accuracy made it possible to investigate the genotypic stability and GEI derived from the LMM, and to reveal a complete view of the GEI of sugar beet product while eliminating the limitations of AMMI. In total, Rc3 followed by Rc6 and Rc11 were recognized as stable genotypes with high WSY. In addition to stability and high WSY, these genotypes also had genetic resistance againstR. solani.