Verification of the adaptability and stability of carrot populations by AMMI, GGE Biplot and REML/BLUP methods

The aim of this study was to verify the adaptability and stability of carrot populations for organic and conventional production systems and to draw a comparison among the used statistical methodologies. The study was carried out during 2007 and 2008, at five sites: conventional cultivation was performed in Sao Gotardo (MG), Irece (BA) and Gama (DF); and organic production system was performed in PAD-DF and Gama (OF). The experiment was arranged in complete randomized block design with tree replications and plots of 1 m(2). Seven carrot populations from the Brasilia group were evaluated: 0912545, 0912532, 0912520, BRS Planalto, Esplanada, Brasilia and Alvorada. One-hundred days after sowing, the root mass with commercial value was evaluated in each plot. The methodologies AMMI, GGE Biplot and REML/BLUP were applied for evaluating the adaptability and stability. AMMI and GGE Biplot obtained very similar results regarding adaptability and stability of carrot populations; however GGE Biplot grouped the more favorable and unfavorable environments more clearly. The REML/BLUP analysis did not group of the most similar areas; however, it presented the results as function of genotypic values taking into account the parameters of adaptability and stability. The populations that presented the best adaptability and stability were 0912532, BRS Planalto and 0912520.