Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 130-137 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/tgg 130 CaseStudy Open Access Multi-Environment Trial Analysis of Elite Rye Cultivars under Rainfed Conditions Guiping Zhang, Wei Wang Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: wei.wang@jicat.org Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol.16, No.3 doi: 10.5376/tgg.2025.16.0014 Received: 20 Apr., 2025 Accepted: 30 May, 2025 Published: 19 Jun., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Zhang and Wang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhang G.P., and Wang W., 2025, Multi-environment trial analysis of elite rye cultivars under rainfed conditions, Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 16(3): 130-137 (doi: 10.5376/tgg.2025.16.0014) Abstract Rye (Secale cereale L.), as an important crop with both food and feed value, has strong adaptability in arid and semi-arid regions and is a key variety resource for ensuring food security and the development of animal husbandry. However, under dryland conditions, the yield and quality of rye are highly constrained by environmental factors, showing a significant genotype-environment interaction (G×E) effect. To deeply assess the performance of superior rye varieties in different ecological regions, this study, based on the multi-environment test (MET) method, systematically analyzed the yield, quality, stress resistance and resource utilization efficiency of multiple elite rye varieties under typical arid conditions. By comparing the yield differences, stability of quality traits and water and nitrogen utilization efficiency under different ecological environments, Combining GGE-Biplot and stability analysis methods, varieties with high yield, high quality and wide adaptability were screened out. The research results show that multi-environment trials can not only reveal the restrictive factors of the environment on rye production, but also provide a theoretical basis for regionalized variety recommendation and the establishment of breeding goals in dryland farming areas. This study aims to promote the application and popularization of superior varieties by scientifically evaluating the comprehensive performance of elite rye varieties under dryland conditions, and to provide references for future rye breeding and sustainable agricultural development in arid areas. Keywords Rye; Dryland farming conditions; Multi-environmental tests; Output stability; Variety adaptability 1 Introduction Rye (Secale cereale L.) plays a very important role in global food security and animal husbandry, especially in areas with poor soil and little rainfall. It has strong adaptability and tenacious vitality, and is suitable for both human consumption and animal feed. In Central and Eastern Europe, rye is often planted in sandy soil, which has poor water retention capacity, but rye can still grow well (Schittenhelm et al., 2014). It is precisely because it can grow under less favorable conditions that rye has helped the economy of rural areas and made the supply of food and feed more stable. Although there are many benefits to growing rye under rain-fed conditions, there are also some problems. Drought caused by climate change is one of the biggest problems. When drought comes early or is particularly severe, the output will drop significantly, sometimes even by 14% to 50% (Hubner et al., 2013; Kottmann et al., 2016). Unstable rainfall, coupled with poor soil fertility, makes it even more difficult for rye to maintain high yields continuously. Therefore, the focus of breeding work is to select varieties that are more drought-tolerant and have stronger adaptability. Against this backdrop, multi-environment testing (MET) becomes particularly important. It can help us understand the performance of different varieties in different environments and see which varieties can maintain stable yields under multiple conditions. This is a very useful tool for breeders (Haffke et al., 2015). This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of superior rye varieties evaluated through multiple environmental trials under dryland conditions, including assessing the yield performance and stability of the selected varieties, analyzing the interaction between genotypes and the environment, and providing suggestions for variety breeding to enhance regional adaptability and resilience. This study aims to provide references for breeding strategies and support the sustainable production of rye in the face of increasingly severe climate challenges.
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