Identification of adaptable sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes using yield performance and multiple-traits index

Sunflower is the most important oil crop ranked as fourth edible oil in the world. The study was conducted in Northern Ethiopia during 2017-2019 cropping seasons using randomized completely block design with three replications. The objective was to decipher the genotype by environment interaction (GEI) in multi-environment trials (MET) and identify adaptable sunflower genotypes. Combined ANOVA, AMMI ANOVA and Eberhart and Rusell regression were analyzed, and GGE bi-plots, AMMI1 and AMMI2 bi-plots, Principal component Analysis (PCA), multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI), correlation network plot for sunflower traits were sketched. AMMI stability measures, Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) based indexes; parametric and non-parametric statistics were computed using R-statistical software. In the AMMI ANOVA the main effects of the environment (E) (54.18 % SS), genotype (G) (16.9 % SS) and GEI (23.50 % SS) were significant (p < 0.001). The genotypic Likely-hood Ratio Test revealed significant for all traits. The AMMI bi-plot and the GGE bi-plots selected G10 and G2 as the most adaptable genotypes. CV, HMGV, RPGV, HMRPGV, P-i, GAI, KRS, S-(3) and S-(6) also identified G10 as the most stable genotype. Based on the MGIDI, G10 (MGIDI = 1.45) and G5 (MGIDI = 2.19) are selected and these genotypes are recommended for further cultivation in Tigray.