Adaptability and stability of flood-irrigated rice cultivars released to the subtropical region of Brazil

Abstract: The objective of this work was to estimate the effects of genotype x environment interaction and the genetic potential of flood-irrigated rice cultivars, released between 1972 and 2017, for the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The experiments were carried out in the field, in all agroclimatic regions of flood-irrigated rice crop in the state, between the 2005/2006 and 2015/2016 crop years, totaling 60 environments (trials), with 1,961 experimental units. Twenty-five cultivars of irrigated rice were evaluated for the traits grain yield, plant height, days to flowering, and whole grain quality after milling. The values of adaptability and stability were estimated with the aid of mixed models. The rice cultivars BRS Pampa, BRS Pampeira, and BRSCIRAD 302 showed simultaneously high-genotypic grain yield, adaptability, stability, good agronomic traits, and good whole-grain yield after milling. 'BRSCIRAD 302' and 'BRS Pampa' show high-yield stability and can be recommended for all rice cultivation regions of Rio Grande do Sul. 'BRS Pampeira' is responsive to environmental improvements and is indicated for high-technology conditions.