Genotype-by-Environment Interaction and Yield Stability of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) in Different Agro-Ecologies of Mozambique

African Journal of Agriculture | Vol. 13, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 194–201

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJA/000758

Article Type: Original Research Article

Title: Genotype-by-Environment Interaction and Yield Stability of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) in Different Agro-Ecologies of Mozambique

Names of Authors: Mateus A. Macamo¹, Elena S. Mondlane¹, Joao B. Nhantumbo²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Instituto de Investigação Agrária de Moçambique (IIAM), Maputo, Mozambique; ²Faculdade de Agronomia, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique

Abstract: Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) genotypes are widely disseminated in Mozambique to alleviate widespread vitamin A deficiency and combat rural child malnutrition. However, significant genotype-by-environment interactions (GEI) can complicate breeding selections and destabilize root yields across diverse agro-ecological zones. This study evaluated the yield stability and environmental adaptability of ten advanced OFSP genotypes across four distinct agro-ecological test stations (Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, and Zambézia) over two consecutive growing seasons. The field experiments were conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications per site. Main root yield data were subjected to additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMEMI) analysis and genotype main effect plus genotype-by-environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis. The AMEMI analysis revealed that environment, genotype, and GEI explained 58.4%, 18.2%, and 23.4% of the total storage root yield variation respectively (p < 0.01). The GGE biplot identified the genotype 'Delvia' as the most stable and high-yielding line, achieving a grand mean storage root yield of 18.62 ± 1.15 t/ha across all four locations. Conversely, genotype 'Irene' was highly adapted to the high-rainfall zone of Zambézia but performed poorly in the drought-prone sands of Gaza. 'Delvia' also maintained an acceptable total carotenoid level (74.2 μg/g fresh weight basis), making it the premier choice for nationwide food security scaling.

Keywords: GGE biplot, Additive main effects, Root stability, Ipomoea batatas, Beta-carotene, Multi-locational trials

Manuscript Timeline: Received: July 02, 2026; Revised: August 05, 2026; Accepted: August 20, 2026; Published: August 31, 2026

Citation: Macamo, M. A., Mondlane, E. S., & Nhantumbo, J. B. (2026). Genotype-by-Environment Interaction and Yield Stability of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) in Different Agro-Ecologies of Mozambique. African Journal of Agriculture, 13(8), 194–201. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJA/000758

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