Environmental stratification and genotype recommendation toward the soybean ideotype: a Bayesian approach

The genotype x environment (GxE) interaction plays an essential role in phenotypic expression and can lead to difficulties in genotypes recommendation. Thus, the objectives of this study were: i) propose the Multi-Environment Index Based on Factor Analysis and Ideotype-Design/Markov Chain Monte Carlo (FAI/MCMC index), and ii) apply it for soybean genotypes recommendation. To this end, a data set with 30 soybean genotypes evaluated in 10 environments for grain yield trait was used. Variance components, genetic parameters and genetic values were estimated through MCMC algorithm. Environmental stratification was conducted by factor analyses and the selection of soybean genotypes was performed using the FAI/MCMC index. The results indicated the existence of genotypic variability and GxE interaction. The environments were grouped into three factors. The predicted genetic gains from indirect selection was 4.81%. Thus, our results suggest that the FAI/MCMC index can be successfully used in soybean breeding.