Graphical Assessment of Yield Stability and Adaptation of Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior) Accessions in Two Locations

Abstract

Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) young inflorescences have been widely used in local cuisines and traditional medicine in South-East Asia. Due to the traditional use of the flowers in various Malaysian dishes, their antioxidant activity should be studied. Furthermore, it is also important to determine the crop performance for high quality flower production. Fifteen selected torch ginger accessions from MARDI germplasm collection were grown in two locations namely Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan and Jerangau, Terengganu. The aim was to estimate the genotype by environment interaction and the stability of yield performance and antioxidant activity of the accessions across two locations. Genotype plus Genotype by Environment interaction (GGE) biplot were used to determine the multivariate stability of GE interaction. The adopted technique provides a good reference for the identification of the torch ginger accession suitable for production under different ecological environments. Interactions of genotype and location effects are significant for all the traits including yield and antioxidant activity, and these may contribute towards improvement in breeding for high antioxidant production.