Multi-Environment Evaluation of Bread Wheat Genotypes under Terminal Moisture Deficit in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

Wheat productivity in moisture-deficient environments is constrained by terminal drought and disease pressure, necessitating the identification of high-yielding, early-maturing, and resilient varieties. Sixteen bread wheat genotypes, including the standard checks Kakaba, Sorra, and Danda’a , as well as a local farmer variety, were evaluated across multiple locations to identify adaptable genotypes for such environments. Field trials were conducted at Geregera, Kon, Jamma, Dehana, and Woleh during the 2016 and 2017 main cropping seasons using a randomized complete block design. Among the tested genotypes, ETBW 6753, later named “Netsanet,” demonstrated superior performance in grain yield, earliness, disease resistance, and adaptability across environments. Netsanet exceeded the mean grain yield of the standard checks by 7% and the local farmer variety by 15%, while also meeting key bread-making quality standards, including protein content, wet gluten, and thousand-kernel weight. The previously released variety Kakaba remained well adapted to areas experiencing severe terminal drought, particularly Dehana and Woleh. Based on its overall performance, Netsanet was officially released in 2020 for cultivation in moisture-stressed agroecological zones of Eastern Amhara. The release of Netsanet contributes to improved wheat productivity and resilience under variable rainfall conditions.