An adaptation analysis of Australian and CIMMYT/ICARDA wheat germplasm in Australian production environments

Abstract

An adaptation analysis was conducted in an attempt to identify adapted germplasm and potential indicator or probe varieties that could be used for more efficient germplasm introduction and evaluation. A set of 39 advanced wheat breeding lines and named varieties from Australian breeding programs and 10 from the CIMMYT/ICARDA programs were tested using 20 environments across the Australian wheatbelt during a period of 3 years. AMMI analysis and classification analysis were performed on grain yield data. Five groups of genotypes with similar patterns in performance within each group were identified, mostly reflecting their origin and pedigree. Most of the genotypes from the CIMMYT/ICARDA programs clustered together as did most of those from the University of Adelaide and Agriculture Western Australia breeding programs. Four groups of environments with similar trends in discriminating genotypes within each group were identified. There was a clear discrimination between subtropical and Mediterranean environments. Subtropical environments with supplementary irrigation showed similar patterns to Mediterranean environments. Basic differences in adaptation and phenotypic stability among genotypes from the CIMMYT/ICARDA programs in relation to genotypes from several breeding programs in Australia were identified. CIMMYT/ICARDA genotypes such as Attila, Nesser, Pfau/Seri//Bow, Genaro 81, and Maya/Nac performed well, especially in subtropical environments. The Australian varieties Hartog and Vulcan showed similar performance and could be used as indicator varieties for assessing introduced germplasm for subtropical regions. University of Adelaide developed genotypes Trident, Spear, Excalibur, and RAC 655, along with the Agriculture Western Australia genotypes Tammin and 82Y:1186, showed wide adaptation to all environments and could be used as indicator varieties for wide adaptation. Similarly, genotypes such as BT Schomburgk, Pelsart, and Sunvale could be used as indicator varieties for the other genotype groups. The results of this study can serve as a basis for identification and introduction of germplasm from the CIMMYT/ICARDA programs for various Australian production environments. It has also provided an understanding of the pattern of discrimination of genotypes across each region of the Australian wheatbelt.