Environmental classification of maize-testing sites in the SADC region and its implication for collaborative maize breeding strategies in the subcontinent

When evaluating genotypes, it is efficient and resourceful to identify similar testing sites and group them according to similarity. Grouping sites ensures that breeders choose as many variable sites as possible to capture the effects of genotype-by-environment (GE) interactions. In order to exploit these interactions and increase testing efficiency and variety selection, it is necessary to group similar environments or mega-environments. The...