Assessment of genotype by environment interaction for yield stability and sucking pest resistance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) using AMMI, GGE biplot and multi-trait stability index

Abstract

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a major fibre crop underpinning the global textile industry; however, its productivity is increasingly threatened by climatic variability and the resurgence of sap-sucking insect pests. The interaction between genotype and environment (G × E) further complicates the identification of stable and high-yielding genotypes, particularly under rainfed conditions. The present study evaluated 7 cotton genotypes across 9 environments (three locations over 3 consecutive years: 2021–24) in Odisha, India, to assess G × E interaction for 14 quantitative traits related to yield and sucking pest resistance using advanced statistical approaches. Combined analysis of variance revealedhighly significant (p < 0.01) effects of genotypes, environments and G × E interaction for all traits studied. The interaction component was particularly significant for key traits, including seed cotton yield (SCY), lint yield (LY) and populations of major sucking pests, necessitating a comprehensive stability analysis. High broad-sense heritability coupled with moderate to high genetic advance for yield and pest resistance traits indicated the predominance of additive gene action. Stability analyses using the Eberhart and Russell model, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and genotype plus genotype by environment (GGE) biplot consistently identified genotype BS 3-17 as superior, exhibiting the highest mean SCY (1978 kg ha-1) and LY (675 kg ha-1), along with the lowest mean populations of aphids (APH) (5.28 per 3 leaves) and jassids (JAS) (1.82 per 3 leaves) across environments. The multi-trait stability index (MTSI) further ranked BS 3-17 as the most desirable genotype (MTSI score = 5.51), indicating its closest proximity to the ideotype. Agronomic validation trials demonstrated that high-density planting (90 × 30 cm) combined with 125 % of the recommended dose of fertilisers significantly enhanced the yield potential of BS 3-17, achieving up to 3114 kg ha-1. These findings establish BS 3-17 as a climate-resilient, high-yielding genotype suitable for commercial cultivation and a promising donor parent for breeding programs targeting yield stability and sucking pest resistance.