Performance evaluation and yield stability of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties in Ethiopia

Multi-environment evaluation of genotypes is important to identify the response of genotypes across environments and helps to know which genotypes would be appropriate in which production areas. Thirteen upland rice genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design at Tepi, Assosa, Bako, and Bonga research centers in 2017, 2018, and 2019 cropping season with the objective of examining the agronomic performance and evaluating the yield stability of the varieties. The combined analysis of variance for yield and other agronomic characteristics revealed that main effects, genotypes, locations, years, and the three-way (G X L X Y) interaction effects revealed a significant difference for the measured traits. Moreover, AMMI analysis of variance also showed a highly significant difference for genotypes, environment, and genotype x environment (GE) interaction for grain yield. Environment effect (61.64%) was responsible for the greatest part of the variation, followed by genotype by environment interaction (20.86%) and genotype (6.97%) effects. The AMMI analysis explained 69.17% of the GxE variance, while GGE captured 72.76% of the GGE variance. Based on the GGE, AMMI analysis genotype variety Hidassie (G4), 4238.7 Kg ha(-1) followed by NERICA-4 (G3), 4183.5 Kg ha(-1) were the most stable and high yielding genotypes and recommended for production for the testing sites and similar upland rice-producing areas of Ethiopia.