Genotype–environment interaction of crocin in Gardenia jasminoides by AMMI and GGE biplot analysis

To investigate the effect of genotype–environment interaction (GEI) on Gardenia jasminoides crocin contents, this study combined the additive main effects and multiplicative interactions (AMMI) model and genotype × environment interaction (GGE) biplot method to investigate the adaptation and stability of 11 Gardenia jasminoides genotypes at three experimental sites in Jiangxi Province with replications. The AMMI analysis showed that genotype, environment, and the GEI had extremely significant effects on Gardenia jasminoides crocin contents (p < .001). The GEI was the main factor causing the content variation, followed by genotype. The AMMI model and biplot analysis showed that the HC20 genotype had high and stable crocin contents. The GGE biplot analysis showed that Fengcheng and Gongqingcheng were optimal test sites for the selection of Gardenia jasminoides genotypes based on their crocin contents; additionally, the HC20 genotype was a suitable dominant genotype to promote cultivation in the test areas, and the GY8 genotype could be widely planted in the Gongqingcheng area. Therefore, the AMMI and GGE biplot genotype evaluation results were basically consistent. Comprehensive and effective evaluation of genotype and regional test sites can provide a theoretical basis for the breeding and development of Gardenia jasminoides clones with high and stable crocin contents and the selection of test sites.