Stability and Yield Performance of Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) Genotypes Across Environments in Southern Peru

Abstract

Durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) underpins semolina value chains in water-limited regions, yet Peru remains import-dependent due to constrained local adaptation. We evaluated eleven elite lines plus the commercial variety 'INIA 412 Atahualpa' across three contrasting semi-arid sites in Arequipa (Santa Elena, San Francisco de Paula, Santa Rita) during 2023–2024 to identify genotypes maximizing performance and stability. Grain yield, thousand-kernel weight (TKW), hectoliter weight, and plant height were analyzed with combined analysis of variance (ANOVA), the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and genotype and genotype-by-environment (GGE) biplots, complemented by AMMI stability value (ASV) and weighted average of absolute scores and best yield index (WAASBY). Grain yield and hectoliter weight showed significant genotype × environment (G × E) interaction, while plant height was driven mainly by genotype and environment with limited interaction. For grain yield, AMMI (PC1: 55.2%) and GGE (PC1 + PC2: 90.2%) revealed crossover responses and three practical mega-environments: TD-053 "won" at San Francisco de Paula, TD-037 at Santa Elena, and TD-033 at Santa Rita. Additionally, WAASBY-integrated rankings favored TD-033 (93.7%) and TD-014 (84.72%), followed by TD-026/TD-020 (>57%), whereas TD-062 (9.1%) and TD-043/TD-061 underperformed. Quality traits highlighted TD-044 and TD-014 for high hectoliter weight and TD-014/TD-062 for high TKW with contrasting stability. Overall, TD-033 and TD-014 were adaptable across environments, providing selection guidance to strengthen Peru's durum breeding pipeline under climate variability.