Genomic prediction of maize yield across European environmental conditions

The development of germplasm adapted to changing climate is required to ensure food security(1,2). Genomic prediction is a powerful tool to evaluate many genotypes but performs poorly in contrasting environmental scenarios(3-7) (genotype x environment interaction), in spite of promising results for flowering time(8). New avenues are opened by the development of sensor networks for environmental characterization in thousands of fieldes(9,10). We present a new strategy for germplasm evaluation under genotype x environment interaction. Yield was dissected in grain weight and number and genotype x environment interaction in these components was modeled as genotypic sensitivity to environmental drivers. Environments were characterized using genotype-specific indices computed from sensor data in each field and the progression of phenology calibrated for each genotype on a phenotyping platform. A whole-genome regression approach for the genotypic sensitivities led to accurate prediction of yield under genotype x environment interaction in a wide range of environmental scenarios, outperforming a benchmark approach.