A multi-season analysis of barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) germplasm lines for shoot fly resistance and multi-trait stability

Barnyard millet is one of the most important minor millet crops grown in rainfed conditions for its health benefits. A large germplasm collection is available at the global level and needs to be characterized for biotic stress factors. In this study, 106 barnyard millet lines were characterized for their resistance to shoot fly resistance during the 2016, 2017 and 2018 rainy seasons, and Additive Main effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis was carried out to understand the genotype x environment interaction. The study also investigated the multi-trait stability of genotypes using deadhearts on the main plant (MPDH) and tillers (TDH). The analysis revealed the genetic difference that exists in the barnyard genetic material for shoot fly resistance. Seedling epicuticular wax was found related to shoot fly infestation. The infected plants had substantially higher levels of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase and total protein content when contrasted with their control plants. MPDH and TDH have high G x E interaction, and the multi-trait stability index (MTSI) analysis has identified 16 lines with lower shoot fly damage and stability.