GENOTYPE x ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION IN CANOLA (Brassica napus L.) SEED YIELD IN CHILE

Genotype x environment (G x E) interaction in canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivar seed yield is unknown in Chile. The interaction was performed with the SREG (Sites Regression) model. Two experiments were conducted in five and thirteen environments in the 2008-2009 season in Central South Chile. The experimental design was a randomized complete block (RCBD) in each environment with four replicates and 26 open-pollinated or hybrid canola genotypes in Experiment 1, and RCBD with three replicates and 17 genotypes in Experiment 2. ANOVA was used to determine the significance of the G x E interaction. Biplots were used to graphically interpret and determine the best cultivar in each environment and the corresponding mega-environments. The G x E interaction was significant for seed yield in many locations in one cropping season. Most of the analyzed seed yield variation was due to environment and G x E effects. Principal components (PC1 and PC2) of the Sites Regression (SREG) model, with five and eight environments, accumulated 74.5% and 61.1% of the total variation, respectively. Two mega-environments were formed; the first being the Chillan environment while the second included the remaining environments. Six of the evaluated cultivars, all hybrids except 'Goya', were superior. The mean vs. stability analysis indicated that the Monalisa hybrid had the highest yield and was the most stable cultivar across all environments. Although the information is for only 1 yr, results could change with data from several years of experimentation. Hence, the study was carried out in many locations in order to provide validity to the results.