Selection of biomass sorghum genotypes based on multi-environment trials and multiple traits for 2G ethanol purpose

This study aimed to identify and select superior biomass sorghum genotypes for second-generation ethanol production through multi-environment trials and multiple traits. The efficiency of different selection strategies using the FAI-BLUP index in multi-environment trials (MET) was assessed. Twenty-five biomass sorghum genotypes were evaluated in triple square lattice experiments in three locations in the 2018/2019 agricultural year. Evaluated traits included flowering time (FLOW), plant height (PH), fresh biomass yield (FBY), dry matter content (DM), moisture content (M), dry biomass yield (DBY), as well as the contents of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin (LIG), hemicellulose (HEM), and cellulose (CC). Each location and MET performed single-trait analyses. Five strategies were performed for selecting superior genotypes using the FAI-BLUP index. Strategy E1 considered BLUPs of genotypes within location, while Strategy E2 used BLUPs of genotype's main effects from MET analyses. Strategy E3 used BLUPs of genotypes within locations (genotype main effects plus genotype by environment interaction—G + GE) from MET analyses. Strategies E4 and E5 used BLUPs from E1 and E3, respectively, assuming traits evaluated at different locations as different traits. Regardless of the strategy, the FAI-BLUP index aimed to enhance the phenotypic expression of FLOW, PH, FBY, DM, DBY, NDF, ADF, HEM, and CC while reducing M and LIG traits to achieve the desired ideotype. Genotypes 4, 13, 17, and 18 exhibited superior performance, predictability, and genotypic adaptability, indicating their potential for second-generation ethanol production. Strategies E2 and E3 emerged as the most effective for selecting superior genotypes using the FAI-BLUP index.