Environmental characterization facilitate G × E interaction to highlight the role of stay-green traits for genetic gain

Environmental characterization (EC) one influential approach for understanding the performance of genotypes in different environments. Sometimes interactions between environment and genotype limit the genetic gain for complex traits in breeding programs, especially drought. Stay green lines are able to retain green leaf area longer than standard lines leading to superior adaptation under water-limitation. Modelling framework has been used analytically in breeding to dissect complex traits, such as yield under water limitation, into critical trait components (e.g. stay-green, flowering time, root architecture). Characterization can help to select more heritable genotypes that can be subjected to high throughout phenotyping, and make more sensible targets for genomic selection by the following search aims: (1) Characterise stressed environments (accounting for climate and soil characteristics, management practices, and crop development) to characterise the timing and severity of the stress and non-stress, (2) Identify the potentially adaptive cultivars and traits in each specific environment, and (3) Determine the correlation between stay-green traits and yield in the different environment types