Structuring genotype X environment interaction - an overview

he phenotype of an individual is determined by both the genotype and environment. Farmers andscientists aim to determine a superior genotype over a wide range of environmental conditions butalso over years. The basic cause of differences between genotypes in their yield stability is whenthese two effects are not only additive, i.e. when genotype × environment interaction (GEI) is presentin the data. Multi-location trials play an important role in plant breeding and agronomic research. Thedata from such trials have three main points: (i) to accurately estimate and predict yield based onlimited experimental data; (ii) to determine yield stability and the pattern of response of genotypesacross environments; and (iii) to provide reliable guidance for selecting the best genotypes oragronomic treatments for planting in future years and at new sites (Crossa, 1990). The purpose of thepresent paper is (i) to describe various multivariate statistical methods for analyzing interactions ingeneral and GEI in particular, and (ii) to present a selected bibliography of 142 references to previouswork.