Method for Selection of Superior Lines with Combined Stay-green and Stem Reserve Mobilisation Traits in Wheat under Multi-environment Stress Conditions

To meet the ever-increasing demand for food, there is a huge concern about the selection of superior genotypes with enhanced resilience to abiotic stress. However, choice/selection of suitable genotype/line is complex due to significant interaction of genotypes with environmental factors. Aiming few traits for selection may simplify the statistical analysis, however selection of genotypes using multiple traits is quite difficult. Furthermore, use of any single index may bias the selection of genotypes. Here, we proposed one method for selection of superior genotypes using combined approach of four selection indexes such as, multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI), factor analysis and genotype-ideotype distance (FAI-BLUP), Smith-Hazel index (SHI) and multi-trait stability index (MTSI) under multi-environment stress conditions by using R programming. From our study, twenty random recombinant inbred wheat lines among the 220 lines developed by crossing HD3086 and HI1500 has been taken for analysis. The selection intensity (SI) was 15% for all the indexes. The lines were tested for stay-green and stem reserve mobilisation traits under control, drought, heat and combined stress conditions. Result found that RIL-10 was common to these four indexes by using venn diagram and was considered to be superior among the lines, which can perform better under multi-environment stress conditions. Thus, we recommend that combined approach of several indexes can be used a robust method for selection of ideal genotypes in wheat and other crop as well.