Identifying Suitable Dual Purpose Sorghum OPVs Lines using GGE Biplot across Three Agro-Ecological Environments in Niger Republic

Objectives: Shortages in animal feed are common in Niger, often resulting in livestock death. Among adaptation strategies for this crisis, some dual-purpose sorghum lines suitable were developed for both grain and fodder. The aim of this study was to identify the ideal genotypes for southern Niger republic using GGE Biplot model.

Methodology and Results: Thirty sorghum elite lines were evaluated in three locations (Tarna, Aderaoua and Bengou) for the dual-purpose traits (grain and fodder) and for yields stability in Niger. The traits were implemented following an Alpha Lattice design with three replications. Data on grain yield (GY) and fodder yield (FY) were collected and used as variables in this study. A combined analysis of variance showed a highly significant effect of the genotypes, environments and genotypes x environment interaction. The GGE Biplot model was performed to identify the most stable lines across environments. The results showed two megaenvironments for GY while for FY three megaenvironments were identified. For GY the genotypes that performed well in each environment based on the “which-won-where” polygon were G1 and G3 in Bengou megaenvironment and G28, G26 in Tarna-Aderaoua megaenvironment. For FY G25 was the vertex thus best genotype at Tarna, G10 at Aderaoua and G4 at Bengou. The site comparison biplot revealed that Aderaoua was the best environment for evaluating dual purpose sorghum genotypes in Niger.

Conclusions and application of findings: For dual purpose (GY and FY) production in southern zone of Niger G25 (MDK), G20 (ICSX14 018 BCJP-14-1-SB6) and G4 (CSM63E) recorded a good and stable potential production for both GY (1310 kg/ha to 1740 kg/ha) and FY (10484 kg/ha to 12889 kg/ha), and are therefore recommended for scaling up and further breeding activities.