Yield and spear quality of various asparagus cultivars grown under two contrasting environments
Nguyen Hong Hanh, Pham Thi Thu Huong, Roel R. Suralta, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dinh*
Faculty of Agronomy, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Vietnam
Department of Food Crops and High Technology, Institute of Food Crops and Food Plants, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Vietnam
Department of Agriculture-Crop Biotechnology Center, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Maligaya, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Abstract: A study in Northern Vietnam assessed the performance of five imported asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) cultivars (Atlas, Grande, UC157, WB231, and K767) in two locations-Son La (colder) and Hai Duong (warmer) to address increasing local demand. Grown under greenhouse conditions, the yield and quality characteristics were evaluated. The Atlas cultivar consistently outperformed the others, showing the highest spear number, weight, carbohydrate content, and total yield (5.04 and 4.3 t ha-1 in Son La and Hai Duong, respectively) across three harvests. Location significantly impacted performance; Son La's cooler climate favored carbohydrate accumulation and higher spear yield, while Hai Duong's warmer climate increased sugar accumulation, boosting Brix and total sugar content. Grande had the highest fiber content, UC157 showed greater chlorophyll and lower-grade spears, and WB231 had higher Brix levels. Principal component analysis indicated that yield traits were mainly cultivar-dependent, while spear quality was influenced by environmental conditions. Our results highlight the importance of selecting the right cultivar and managing greenhouse climate to optimize asparagus yield and quality in Northern Vietnam.
Submitted: 31 August 2025 | Revised: 11 November 2025 | Accepted: 28 November 2025
Pages 780-788 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| Supplementary Data PDF| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.10.pne121
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Copper toxicity in Schizolobium amazonicum Herb. plants
Karla Samylle de Queiroz Costa, Cassio Freitas de Oliveira, Madson Pereira Melo, Arthur Vinicius Pires, Dayse Gonzaga Braga, Hedilberto do Carmo Lima, Hellen Patrícia Lemos Cordovil, Fabricia Kelly Cabral Moraes, Luma Castro de Souza, Nilvan Carvalho Melo, Raphael Leone da Cruz Ferreira, Flávio José Rodrigues Cruz*
Instituto Federal de Ciência e Tecnologia do Amapá, Campus Porto Grande - Amapá, BR 210, Km 103, Retiro dos Pinhais, 68997-000, Porto Grande - Amapá, Brasil
Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Campus Chapadinha - Maranhão, BR-222, 65500-000, Chapadinha - Maranhão, Brasil
Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Campus Juruti - Pará, Rua Vereador José de Sousa Andrade, 68170-000, Juruti - Pará, Brasil
Abstract: Copper is a micronutrient essential for plant growth and development. However, in excess, it is toxic to plants and may cause various physiological and morphological changes. Therefore, the study of the growth of plants exposed to excess Cu is important for the development of phytoremediation programs and for understanding the mechanisms involved in the tolerance of this metal. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of excess copper on growth and tolerance level responses of Schizolobium amazonicum Herb. Schizolobium amazonicum is a tree species suitable for planting in consortia within agroforestry systems in the Amazon region. It grows rapidly and its wood is suitable for the plywood industry. The study was conducted in a greenhouse using a completely randomized design described by five copper concentrations and five replicates. Biometric measurements, Cu content in tissues and indices (translocation factor, tolerance index, bioconcentration factor and bioaccumulation factor) were assessed. Schizolobium amazonicum does not tolerate Cu toxicity because it has considerable reduction in aerial part and root growth at lower concentration. Moreover, the indices translocation factor, tolerance index, bioconcentration factor and bioaccumulation factor presented values lower than 1, suggesting that Schizolobium amazonicum does not phytoremediate Cu, let alone be sensitive to this metal.
Submitted: 13 November 2025 | Revised: 02 April 2026 | Accepted: 16 April 2026
Pages 789–796 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.10.pne180
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Macronutrient content in kale leaves at different times with the use of organic fertilizers
Thatiane Nepomuceno Alves*, Antonio Ismael Inácio Cardoso, Joseantonio Ribeiro de Carvalho, Ramón De Marchi Garcia, Fabrício Elias Rodrigues, Politon Thiago Pereira Guedes, Nicholas Taborda Nordi, Marcelo Munhoz Venâncio de Oliveira, Jorgiani de Ávila1, Victor Henrique Pereira da Silva
School of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
Abstract: An essential aspect of fertilizer recommendations is the replacement of nutrients extracted by plants and removed through harvest. Crops such as kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) exhibit indeterminate growth and are subjected to multiple harvests over an extended production cycle. Consequently, nutrient concentrations in harvested leaves may vary over time, potentially affecting the accuracy of nutrient uptake and export estimates used for fertilizer recommendations. This study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of macronutrient concentrations in kale leaves throughout the production cycle under different organic topdressing fertilizers. The experiment was conducted using a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement in a split-plot design with nine replications. The plots consisted of three topdressing treatments: castor bean cake, bokashi, and a control without topdressing fertilization. The subplots corresponded to five evaluation periods: 64, 92, 120, 148, and 176 days after transplanting (DAT). Fertilizer rates were adjusted to supply 40 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen. Leaf concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S were determined throughout the crop cycle. Castor bean cake promoted higher concentrations of N, Mg, and S compared with the other treatments. The average order of nutrient concentration was K > N > Ca > S > P > Mg. All nutrients showed significant quadratic responses over time, with estimated maximum concentrations occurring between 100 and 120 DAT, followed by marked declines. By the end of the crop cycle, reductions relative to peak concentrations reached up to 44% for N, 42% for P, 54% for K, 11% for Ca, 25% for Mg, and 45% for S. These results indicate that leaf sampling performed only at the end of the crop cycle may underestimate nutrient export and compromise soil fertility management and fertilizer recommendation programs.
Submitted: 21 February 2026 | Revised: 16 June 2026 | Accepted: 07 August 2026
Pages 797–805 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.10.pne256
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Vegetative and productive responses of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars to renewal pruning height under subtropical conditions
Maykon Florêncio Ferreira, Marcelo de Souza Silva*, Jackson Mirellys Azevedo Souza, Marco Antonio Tecchio, Magali Leonel, Sarita Leonel
Departamento de Produção Vegetal, Universidade Estadual Paulista ‘Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil
Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil
Centro de Raízes e Amidos Tropicais (CERAT), Universidade Estadual Paulista ‘Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2440-0282
Abstract: Canopy management through renewal pruning is an essential practice for regulating vegetative growth, productivity, and orchard efficiency in mango trees, particularly under subtropical production systems. This study evaluated the effects of different renewal pruning heights on vegetative development, yield, and fruit quality of commercial mango cultivars grown in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design in a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement, with three pruning intensity (1.50, 2.10, and 2.70 m) and five cultivars (Palmer, Tommy Atkins, Keitt, Parwin, and IAC 103 Espada Vermelha), with five replications and two plants per experimental plot. Vegetative, productive, and physicochemical fruit traits were assessed, in addition to multivariate analysis. Vegetative growth responded in a genotype-and pruning-intensity-dependent manner, with greater vigor associated with more severe pruning, without changes in leaf chlorophyll contents. A pruning height of 2.70 m increased overall yield and cultivars differed in yield potential. Fruit quality attributes were mostly determined by genotype, and main findings showed that pruning at 1.50 m improved soluble solids but reduced yield, while pruning at 2.70 m maximized yield but not soluble solids. Principal component analysis suggested an inverse relationship between vegetative vigor and yield, highlighting the need for specific pruning strategies for each cultivar. The results indicate that renewal pruning management should be adjusted in a genotype-oriented manner to optimize the balance among vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality in mango orchards grown in subtropical regions.
Submitted: 26 February 2026 | Revised: 12 June 2026 | Accepted: 07 August 2026
Pages 806–817 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.10.pne265
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Identification of seedling and adult plant stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) resistance and associated genes in advanced wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) lines
Elizabeth Akinyi Msundi*, James Otieno Owuoche, Maurice Edwards Oyoo, Mandeep Singh Randhawa, Sridhar Bhavani
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, P.O. Box 536-20115, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF house), United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Village market, P.O. Box 1041-00621 Nairobi, Kenya
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0864-4591
Abstract: Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars with a combination of genes for seedling and adult plant resistance (APR) to stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) are often effectively protected from stem rust infection. The objective of this study was to determine the genotypic variations of advanced wheat lines for stem rust seedling and adult plant resistance (APR) and postulate presence of some known resistance genes among the lines. A 3-season experiment was conducted to evaluate 168 wheat lines for stem rust infections in a 21 × 8 α-lattice design under 3 replications. The lines were evaluated under seedling infections with races TTKSK and TTKTT and under a mixed stem rust race epidemic and natural yellow rust infection. In addition, markers NB-LRR3, wMAS000005 and IWB1055 were used to identify genes Sr12, Sr2, and Sr8155B1, respectively. From this study, seedling resistance was observed on 5.95% of the lines for races TTKSK and TTKTT, on 11% of the lines for race TTKSK and only 6.55% of the lines for race TTKTT. APR was observed on 68 lines for stem rust (SR), 120 lines for yellow rust (YR) and 56 lines for both SR and YR. Among these, lines 6133, 6163 and 6164 exhibited exceptional SR APR with up to 10% severity with resistant to moderately resistant reactions. Ten lines had lower infections relative to the commercial resistant check, cultivar Kingbird. Molecular markers amplified genes Sr12 in 131 lines, Sr8155B1 in 50 lines and Sr2 in 47 lines. The identified lines with seedling and APR can be used as parents and may be considered for further multi-location agronomic evaluation.
Submitted: 02 March 2026 | Revised: 19 August 2026 | Accepted: 02 September 2026
Pages 818–833 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| Supplementary Data PDF| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.10.pne267
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Assessing the effects of two biostimulants on yield, calyx mineral content, and antioxidant constituents of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)
Sahba M Kadhem, Majeed K Abbas*, Hasanain Riyadh Al-Isawi, Ali Sabah Al-Hasan
College of Nursing, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq
College of Agriculture Technique, Al-Mustaqbal University, Babylon, Iraq
College of Agriculture, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2557-0554
Abstract: Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is a significant economic crop owing to its various nutritional and therapeutic applications. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of two potential biostimulants, ginger and saffron extracts, at different dosages on the production of Roselle cv. Red, as well as its NPK and antioxidant content. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factors (4x3) was established. The first factor is the use of saffron stigma extract (S) at four concentrations (0, 1, 2, and 3 g.L⁻¹). Ginger rhizome extract (G) was applied at three concentrations (0, 5, and 10 g. L-1) as the secondary variable. Three replications of the treatments were performed. The results indicated a substantial impact of the two biostimulant concentrations used. The maximum values for the yield parameters examined were achieved when the greatest concentrations of both extracts were amalgamated. The treatments resulted in an augmentation of NPK's mineral composition. Moreover, the antioxidant constituents in Roselle calyxes, including anthocyanins, flavonoids, total phenols, ascorbic acid, and citric acid, were elevated for the extracts and their combinations. However, the carotenoid content either increased solely in the S2 treatment, remained constant in the S2G1 and S2G2 treatments, or declined in all other treatments. The antioxidant activity in the leaves and calyxes escalated with higher concentrations of saffron and ginger extracts. The greatest free radical-scavenging activity was noted at the highest concentrations examined. Consequently, our findings indicate that the combination treatments at the maximum dosages of both stimulants had a superior response.
Submitted: 20 March 2026 | Revised: 20 July 2026 | Accepted: 06 August 2026
Pages 834–845 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.10.pne283
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Effect of lime and husk ash application rates on soybean and corn intercropping system under saturated soil management in tidal swamp ecosystems
Munif Ghulamahdi*, Eka Phungghalawati, Iskandar Lubis, Paul Taylor, Tatsuhiko Shiraiwa, A. Haitami
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia
School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences Melbourne University, Victoria, Australia
Graduate School of Agriculture Kyoto University Crop Sciences, Japan
Department of Agrotechology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Islam Kuantan Singingi, Riau, Indonesia
Abstract: Tidal swamp soils in tropical regions are characterized by severe acid sulfate conditions, including low pH, aluminum and iron toxicity, and phosphorus deficiency, which collectively constrain crop productivity. This study evaluated the effects of varying lime and rice husk ash doses on the growth, yield, and land equivalent ratio (LER) of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) and corn (Zea mays L.) under an intercropping system managed with saturated soil culture (SSC) on tidal swamp land. Tidal swamp land is a periodically tide-inundated agricultural land type characterized by acidic, poorly drained soils and fluctuating water tables that constrain crop growth. Its agronomic management relies on tidal-based irrigation and drainage systems to regulate water levels and mitigate soil acidity. A randomized complete block design with two factors lime dose (0, 2, 4, and 6 ton ha⁻¹ dolomite) and husk ash dose (0 and 1 ton ha⁻¹) was arranged in three replications at a Type B overflow tidal swamp in Banyuasin District, South Sumatra, Indonesia. Results demonstrated that lime application significantly improved soybean growth parameters, including plant height, leaf number, nodule dry weight, root dry weight, and stalk dry weight, as well as yield components such as fill pod number, seed dry weight per plot, and productivity, which increased by approximately 41% from 1.03 to 1.45 ton ha⁻¹ at the highest lime rate. For corn, moderate lime application at 2 ton ha⁻¹ produced the highest grain yield (6.08 ton ha⁻¹), while excessive liming tended to reduce productivity, likely through micronutrient imbalances induced by over-elevation of soil pH. Husk ash at 1 ton ha⁻¹ contributed significantly to stalk dry weight in both crops and exhibited synergistic interactions with lime on soybean biomass accumulation. LER values across all treatment combinations consistently exceeded 1.0, ranging from 1.31 to 1.41, confirming the biological and agronomic superiority of the corn-soybean intercropping system over monoculture under all soil amendment regimes. These findings indicate that the combined application of 2 ton ha⁻¹ lime and 1 ton ha⁻¹ husk ash represents the most promising and practically viable management strategy for optimizing system productivity in tidal swamp agriculture.
Submitted: 02 April 2026 | Revised: 20 July 2026 | Accepted: 07 August 2026
Pages 846–856 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.10.pne294
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The effect of foliar spraying of some nutrients on the yield parameters and components of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at Alsamawa, Almuthanna, Iraq
Zainab Hasan AL-Sultan, Hadeel S. Almaliki, Iqbal Kareem Al-Hassani, Duaa Majid Niema, Haider S. Almnehlawi, Dhulfiqar Hmiz, Yousif S. Alhamadani, Elsherbiny A. Elsherbiny, Kathryn L. Kingsley, James F. White
Department of Maternal and Neonate Nursing, College of Nursing, Al-Muthanna University, Al-Muthanna, Al-Samawa, 66001, Iraq
Al-Samawa Technical Institute, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Samawa 66001, Iraq
Department of Environmental Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Muthanna University, AlRumaytha 66002, Iraq
Plant Pathology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Egypt
Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08091, USA
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9206-6952
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during winter season 2023-2024 at Al-Shanabra area, Northern of Al-Muthanna Governorate, Sothern Iraq, the weather was hot, dry, with an average humidity of 40.4%. Foliar feeding effects on the yield and components of three wheat varieties was studied. the design of the experiment was according to the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with a split-plot factorial experiment with three replicates. Babylon, Ibaa99, and Wafia were the three wheat varieties in the main plots, while the subplots included foliar application of three concentrations of nutrients. The nutrient mixture composed of Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Mg, and Cu. Three concentrations of mixture were used in the field (0, 0.75, and 1.5 gm L-1) by using a chelated fertilizer containing the above elements. Foliar applications were applied right before flowering, plants reached the decimal growth stage 59 (Zadoks scale GS59), and the spray volume was 800 liters per hectare. The results showed that spraying at a concentration of 1.5 gm L-1 led to a significant increase in the number of spikes (255.00 spikes m-2), 1000-grain weight (41.42 gm), and total grain yield (2.95 tons ha⁻¹). The results also showed the superiority of variety Babylon in total grain yield (3.11 tons ha⁻¹) and harvest index (37.81%), while variety Ibaa 99 gave the lowest averages on number of spikes (198.60 spikes m-2) and harvest index (28.35%). The combination of (Babylon ×0.75 gm L-1) also had a significant effect on the total grain yield and gave the highest average of (3.39 tons per hectare). Our findings are important, suggesting a way to improve productivity of wheat.
Submitted: 05 April 2026 | Revised: 12 July 2026 | Accepted: 06 August 2026
Pages 857–864 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| Supplementary Data PDF| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.10.pne299
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Temperature, precipitation and soybean yield in the Brazilian Cerrado: A long-term analysis
Gabriella da Silva Santos, Rafael Battisti, Diogo Amorim Silva, Rafaella Resende Andrade, Marcio Mesquita, Angelina Harmyans Ciappina, Vitor Pureza Cardoso, Alisson Neves Harmyans Moreira*
Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, GO, Brazil
Centro Universitário Araguaia (UniAraguaia), Goiânia, GO, Brazil
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5835-1581
Abstract: Soybean (Glycine max L.) is strategically important to Brazilian agribusiness, and south-western Goiás is one of the country’s main production hubs. However, soybean yield is highly sensitive to climatic variability, especially temperature and precipitation fluctuations in the Brazilian Cerrado biome, a tropical savanna ecosystem with Aw climate according to the Köppen-Geiger classification. This study analysed the influence of climatic variables on soybean yield in south-western Goiás, Brazil, from the 1989/90 to 2022/23 growing seasons, aiming to identify trends and relationships that may support agricultural adaptation strategies. Yield data were obtained from IBGE, and daily meteorological data from the NASA POWER platform. The climatological water balance was calculated using the Thornthwaite and Mather (1955) method, with soil root depth crop coefficients adjusted to soybean phenological stages. The water requirement satisfaction index (WRSI) and accumulated growing degree days (GDD) were then determined, and the yield series was detrended using linear regression. Technological progress explained 84% of the historical yield increase (45.7 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ over 34 crop years; R² = 0.84), with peak yield (3,900 kg ha⁻¹) recorded in 2022/23. Accumulated precipitation and GDD were not significantly related to yield (R² < 0.01; p > 0.05), whereas WRSI showed the highest but still modest explanatory power among the indicators tested (R² = 0.085; p = 0.095), explaining 8.5% of corrected yield variability. These results suggest that effective water availability may modulate soybean yield, although WRSI should be interpreted as a complementary rather than standalone predictor.
Submitted: 14 April 2026 | Revised: 03 July 2026 | Accepted: 24 August 2026
Pages 865–878 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.10.pne302
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A rapid screening approach to assess rice varietal responses to mercury stress
Yummama Karmaita, Munif Ghulamahdi*, Didy Sopandie, Hariyadi, Irdika Mansur
Graduate Program of Agronomy and Horticulture, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Institut Pertanian Bogor. Jl. Meranti, Kampus IPB Darmaga, Bogor 16680, West Java, Indonesia
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Institut Pertanian Bogor. Jl. Meranti, Kampus IPB Darmaga, Bogor 16680, West Java, Indonesia
Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Institut Pertanian Bogor. Jl. Meranti, Kampus IPB Darmaga, Bogor 16680, West Java, Indonesia
Abstract: Heavy metal pollutants such as mercury can inhibit rice growth and increase trimercury accumulation in plant tissues. Using a two-stage hydroponic screening method, we assessed varietal tolerance to mercury stress and identified potential cultivars based on their growth response, mercury accumulation, and translocation characteristics. 25 rice types were assessed in the first phase using a split-plot design at five HgCl₂ concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 ppm), with three replications per treatment. In the second stage, a completely randomized design was used to assess 16 plants of each variety at 6 ppm HgCl₂ with four replications. Hg uptake, tolerance index (TI), and physical characteristics were among the measured traits. Growth parameters were significantly affected by Hg exposure, with a significant treatment-variety interaction. In the second stage, 16 plants of each variety were evaluated at 6 ppm HgCl₂ with four replications using a completely randomized design. The tolerance index (TI), Hg uptake, and morphological characteristics were among the traits measured. Mercury exposure had a significant impact on growth metrics, with a strong treatment-variety interaction. Varietal responses to Hg stress varied significantly. The Batang Pariaman, IR 64, IPB 9G, Harum, and Sertani stems showed greater tolerance, with TI values of > 0.85. Pariaman, IR 64, and Sertani stems also showed more consistent root growth with increasing Hg concentrations, as indicated by the RRL parameter. Hierarchical clustering, integrating growth characteristics, Hg concentration, and uptake, identified distinct varietal adaptation mechanisms to Hg stress. Batang Pariaman, Bakwan, Srikandi, Banang Pulau and Junjuang stems stood out as attractive choices because they maintained biomass while limiting Hg transport from roots to shoots, indicating greater Hg retention in root tissues. Further validation in Hg-contaminated soil and during the reproductive phase is required to confirm their potential in preventing Hg deposition in rice grains.
Submitted: 07 May 2026 | Revised: 05 August 2026 | Accepted: 06 August 2026
Pages 879–895 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.10.pne318
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Stability and multi-trait selection of durum wheat quality traits across Moroccan environments using BLUP-based WAASBY and MGIDI analyses
Mackaye Moussa Hassane*, Rachida Hassikou, Fatima Gaboun, Sahar Bennani, Hind El Bouzidi, Mohamed Amine Abdellaoui, Ghizlane Diria, Mona Taghouti
Mohammed V University, Faculty of Sciences, 4 Avenue Ibn Battouta, B.P. 1014 RP, Rabat, Morocco
National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA), Avenue Mohamed Belarbi Alaoui, B.P. 6356, Rabat, Morocco
Ibn Tofail University, Faculty of Sciences, University Campus, B.P. 133, Kenitra, Morocco
Hassan I University, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Km 3, Route de Casablanca, B.P. 577, Settat, Morocco
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4827-4953
Abstract: Durum wheat grain quality is strongly influenced by genotype × environment interaction (GEI), requiring the identification of genotypes with stable grain quality performance for breeding programs. This study evaluated the performance and stability of 25 durum wheat genotypes across 16 Moroccan environments during the 2020–2021, 2021–2022, and 2022–2023 cropping seasons. Four quality traits were analyzed: gluten strength (GS), yellow index (YI), thousand-kernel weight (TKW), and test weight (TW). A linear mixed model was used to estimate genotype performance using best linear unbiased predictions (BLUPs). Stability was assessed using the weighted average of absolute scores and yield (WAASBY), and multi-trait selection was performed using the multi-trait genotype–ideotype distance index (MGIDI). Environmental effects were highly significant for all traits (P < 0.001), confirming the strong influence of the environment on grain quality. Broad-sense heritability was high for GS (0.93), YI (0.96), and TKW (0.89), and moderate to high for TW (0.76). Trait-specific WAASBY rankings showed that G5 and G17 ranked among the five highest values for three traits, whereas G14, G19, and G22 ranked among the top five for two traits. MGIDI selected G5, G19, G22, G4, and G13 as the genotypes closest to the ideotype based on BLUP-adjusted multi-trait performance. These results show that combining BLUP-based stability analysis with multi-trait selection can support the identification of durum wheat genotypes with favorable profiles for the four measured traits across the tested Moroccan environments.
Submitted: 09 May 2026 | Revised: 25 July 2026 | Accepted: 06 August 2026
Pages 896–912 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.10.pne319