Genotype×environment interaction studies highlight the role of phenology in specific adaptation of canola (Brassica napus) to contrasting Mediterranean climates

While genotype (G) × environment (E) interaction (G × E) complicates broad crop adaptation, understanding its causes facilitates breeding for specific adaptation. South-western Australia captures a broad range of Mediterranean climates, from a very warm short season with low rainfall in the north and east to a longer season with high rainfall in the southwest, and provides a unique opportunity to investigate G × E interaction. In this study, we evaluate G × E interaction for seed yield and oil content of canola genotypes with wide ranging phenology across south-western Australia. Environments were separated into year (Y) and location (L) and a factor analytic (FA) model used to partition G × E interactions into G × Y, G × L and G × Y × L across four years (2006–2009). G × E interaction contributed 34% to total variance of seed yield compared with 9% for G. An additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model was used to further evaluate the significance of G × L, and delineate mega-environments (ME) and determine the best performing cultivar in each year. AMMI identified two MEs with different seasonal climates. ME1 combines >330 mm seasonal rainfall with a cooler, longer post-anthesis growing period. ME2 is more terminally drought-prone, with higher temperatures and