Genotype x environment interactions occur when genotypes respond differently to varying environmental conditions. Researchers conduct multi-location trials over multiple years to investigate these interactions and identify genotypes that perform well across different environments or are specifically adapted to certain environments. Analyzing the data from such trials involves testing for homogeneity of error variances between locations and years before performing analyses of variance to partition variance components and determine which genotypes interact least or perform best on average over environments.
2. Why do researchers conduct
multiple experiments?
Effects of factors under study vary from
location to location or from year to year.
To obtain an unbias estimate.
Interest in determining the effect of
factors over time.
To investigate genotype (or treatment) x
environment interactions.
3. What are Genotype x
Environment Interactions?
Differential response of genotypes to
varying environmental conditions.
Delight for statisticians who love to
investigate them.
The biggest nightmare for plant
breeders (and some other agricultural
researchers) who try to avoid them like
the plague.
8. Examples of Multiple Experiments
Plant breeder grows advanced breeding
selections at multiple locations to determine
those with general or specific adaptability
ability.
A pathologist is interested in tracking the
development of disease in a crop and records
disease at different time intervals.
Forage agronomist is interested in forage
harvest at different stages of development
over time.
9. Types of Environment
Researcher controlled environments,
where the researcher manipulates the
environment. For example, variable
nitrogen.
Semi-controlled environments, where
there is an opportunity to predict
conditions from year to year. For
example, soil type.
Uncontrolled environments, where there
is little chance of predicting environment.
10. Why?
To investigate relationships between
genotypes and different environmental
(and other) changes.
To identify genotypes which perform well
over a wide range of environments.
General adaptability.
To identify genotypes which perform well
in particular environments. Specific
adaptability.
12. Number of Environments
Availability of planting material.
Diversity of environmental conditions.
Magnitude of error variances and
genetic variances in any one year or
location.
Availability of suitable cooperators
Cost of each trial ($s and time).
13. Location of Environments
Variability of environment
throughout the target region.
Proximity to research base.
Availability of good cooperators.
$$$s.
15. Points to Consider before Analyses
Normality.
Homoscalestisity
(homogeneity) of error
variance.
Additive.
Randomness.
16. Points to Consider before Analyses
Normality.
Homoscalestisity
(homogeneity) of error
variance.
Additive.
Randomness.
17. Bartlett Test
(same degrees of freedom)
M = df{nLn(S) - Ln2}
Where, S = ワ2/n
2
n-1 = M/C
C = 1 + (n+1)/3ndf
n = number of variances, df is the df
of each variance
18. Bartlett Test
(same degrees of freedom)
df 2
Ln(2
)
5 178 5.148
5 60 4.094
5 98 4.585
5 68 4.202
Total 404 18.081
S = 101.0; Ln(S) = 4.614
19. Bartlett Test
(same degrees of freedom)
df 2
Ln(2
)
5 178 5.148
5 60 4.094
5 98 4.585
5 68 4.202
Total 404 18.081
S = 100.0; Ln(S) = 4.614
M = (5)[(4)(4.614)-18.081] = 1.880, 3df
C = 1 + (5)/[(3)(4)(5)] = 1.083
20. Bartlett Test
(same degrees of freedom)
df 2
Ln(2
)
5 178 5.148
5 60 4.094
5 98 4.585
5 68 4.202
Total 404 18.081
S = 100.0; Ln(S) = 4.614
M = (5)[(4)(4.614)-18.081] = 1.880, 3df
C = 1 + (5)/[(3)(4)(5)] = 1.083
2
3df = 1.880/1.083 = 1.74 ns
21. Bartlett Test
(different degrees of freedom)
M = ( df)nLn(S) - dfLn2
Where, S = [df.2]/(df)
2
n-1 = M/C
C = 1+{(1)/[3(n-1)]}.[(1/df)-1/ (df)]
n = number of variances
24. Bartlett Test
(different degrees of freedom)
S = [df.2]/(df) = 13.79/37 = 0.3727
(df)Ln(S) = (37)(=0.9870) = -36.519
M = (df)Ln(S) - dfLn 2 = -36.519 -(54.472) = 17.96
C = 1+[1/(3)(4)](0.7080 - 0.0270) = 1.057
2
3df = 17.96/1.057 = 16.99 **, 3df
25. Heterogeneity of Error Variance
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Mosc Gene Tens Gran Pend Colf Kalt Mocc Boze
Seed
Yield
26. Significant Bartlett Test
金What can I do where there is
significant heterogeneity of error
variances?
Transform the raw data:
Often ~
cw Binomial Distribution
where = np and = npq
Transform to square roots
27. Heterogeneity of Error Variance
0
2
4
6
8
10
Mosc Gene Tens Gran Pend Colf Kalt Mocc Boze
SQRT[Seed
Yield]
28. Significant Bartlett Test
金What else can I do where there is
significant heterogeneity of error
variances?
Transform the raw data:
Homogeneity of error variance can always
be achieved by transforming each sites data
to the Standardized Normal Distribution
[xi-]/
29. Significant Bartlett Test
金What can I do where there is
significant heterogeneity of error
variances?
Transform the raw data
Use non-parametric statistics
31. Model ~ Multiple sites
Yijk = + gi + ej + geij + Eijk
i gi = j ej = ij geij
Environments and Replicate blocks are usually
considered to be Random effects. Genotypes are
usually considered to be Fixed effects.
32. Analysis of Variance over sites
Source d.f. EMSq
Sites (s)
Rep w Sites (r)
Genotypes (g)
Geno x Site
Replicate error
33. Source d.f. EMSq
Sites (s) s-1
Rep w Sites (r) s(1-r)
Genotypes (g) g-1
Geno x Site (g-1)(s-1)
Replicate error s(r-1)(g-1)
Analysis of Variance over sites
34. Source d.f. EMSq
Sites (s) s-1 2
e + g2
rws + rg2
s
Rep w Sites (r) s(1-r) 2
e + g2
rws
Genotypes (g) g-1 2
e + r2
gs+ rs2
g
Geno x Site (g-1)(s-1) 2
e + r2
gs
Replicate error s(r-1)(g-1) 2
e
Analysis of Variance over sites
36. Analysis of Variance
Source d.f. EMSq
Years (y) y-1 2
e+gy2
rwswy+rg2
swy+rgs2
y
Sites w Years (s) y(s-1) 2
e + g2
rwswy + rg2
swy
Rep w Sites w year (r) ys(1-r) 2
e + g2
rwswy
Genotypes (g) g-1 2
e + r2
gswy + rs2
gy + rl2
g
Geno x year (y-1)(g-1) 2
e + r2
gswy + rs2
gy
Geno x Site w Year y(g-1)(s-1) 2
e + r2
gswy
Replicate error ys(r-1)(g-1) 2
e