Genotype‑by‑environment interaction and stability of root mealiness and other organoleptic properties of boiled cassava roots
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Scientific Reports
Abstract
Genetic enhancement of cassava aimed at improving cooking and eating quality traits is a major
goal for cassava breeders to address the demand for varieties that are desirable for the fresh
consumption market segment. Adoption of such cassava genotypes by consumers will largely
rely not only on their agronomic performance, but also on end-user culinary qualities such as root
mealiness. The study aimed to examine genotype× environment interaction (GEI) efects for root
mealiness and other culinary qualities in 150 cassava genotypes and detect genotypes combining
stable performance with desirable mealiness values across environments using GGE biplot analysis.
Experiments were conducted using an alpha-lattice design with three replications for two years
in three locations in Nigeria. The analysis of variance revealed a signifcant infuence of genotype,
environment, and GEI on the performance of genotypes. Mealiness scores showed no signifcant
relationship with frmness values of boiled roots assessed by a penetration test, implying that
large-scale rapid and accurate phenotyping of mealiness of boiled cassava roots remains a major
limitation for the efective development of varieties with adequate mealiness, a good quality trait
for direct consumption (boil-and-eat) as well as for pounding into ‘fufu’. The moderate broad-sense
heritability estimate and relatively high genetic advance observed for root mealiness suggest that
signifcant genetic gains can be achieved in a future hybridization program. The genotype main
efects plus genotype× environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis showed that the diferent test
environments discriminated among the genotypes. Genotypes G80 (NR100265) and G120 (NR110512)
emerged as the best performers for root mealiness in Umudike, whereas G13 (B1-50) and the check,
G128 (TMEB693) performed best in Igbariam and Otobi. Based on the results of this study, fve
genotypes, G13 (B1-50), G34 (COB6-4), G46 (NR010161), the check, G128 (TMEB693), and G112
(NR110376), which were found to combine stability with desirable mealiness values, were the most
suitable candidates to recommend for use as parents to improve existing cassava germplasm for root
mealiness
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Genotype‑by‑environment, mealiness, cassava roots