Yield, Stability, and Adaptability of Hybrid Japonica Rice Varieties in the East Coast of China

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper includes a detailed analysis of the behavior of 13 varieties of hybrid japonica rice, in 6 different locations, in one of the most productive agricultural areas in China. Although the experimental results cover a single agricultural year, the obtained results indicate which varieties are more productive, which are more stable, but also indicate which variety is more adaptable for each testing center (which-won-where). The analysis methods used allow the identification of valuable genotypes, without excluding a variety if it had a less favorable behavior only in one of the locations, but it can be recommended for other cultivation areas. The analysis of the genotype, the experimental environment, and the interactions between the two factors, provides added value to the work, but I would have liked to see some information such as: whether the year was favorable or not for rice cultivation, whether there were any problems that negatively influenced the yield (in the conditions in which it is mentioned that the cultivation technology was slightly different, the number of treatments was different between locations).

 

• In the abstract it is mentioned that “Rice varieties must undergo rigorous testing through multi-site regional trials over several years before being introduced to the market in China”, but in the paper, only data from one year are presented. Maybe only the idea of ​​multiple locations should be emphasized.
• Abstract, introduction and conclusion end with the exact same phrase: “Our findings provide valuable insights for breeding new rice varieties, and contribute to the strategic selection of optimal testing locations.” Although the phrase sounds very good, the paper analyzed the yield and stability of some registered varieties, it does not “indicate valuable insights for breeding new rice varieties”. It is not presented how these new varieties should be (characters of the plants for example). So, I consider that the phrase expresses more than was analyzed in the work. What could be said is that the work elucidates which varieties lend themselves best to the area, and for breeding, if they can be used as initial material in the selection processes for the creation of new varieties.
• Line 83, even if mu is an officially standardized measuring unit in China, it is not known worldwide, so I suggest using an international measuring unit.
• When you say “hybrid late japonica rice” is late referring to the vegetation period? I think “late” should be the first word, but please correct me if I am wrong
• Line 123, “Test plot area: 13.3-15.0 m². Plant and row spacing: (13.2-16.5) × 30 cm”. Your plant density was different in the 6 locations? Could this influence your yield result? I think it would be better if you could indicate a uniform number of plants/m².
• I think you searched for the word “indica” and set it to italic, but check for “indicates”, because it is partially italic
• in the conclusions, two varieties are mentioned that had the highest yield and one for stability, I would add that these varieties are recommended for the studied area, or if for a specific location another genotype would be more suitable

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The study evaluated the productive potential, adaptability, and stability of 13 Japonica rice varieties at six different locations in Jiangsu province, on the east coast of China. To this end, grain production data from the one harvest (2021) and genetic-statistical analyses using ANOVA, AMMI, and GGE Biplot models were utilized. The results indicated which varieties are most suitable for cultivation at the locations included in the study, as well as which locations are strategically best suited for regional trials to evaluate genotypes in rice breeding programs in the region.

Positive Points:

The experimental procedures and methodology for data analysis are adequate.

The results support the conclusions presented.

The conclusions have practical applications for rice cultivation in the region, contributing to increased productivity and greater stability in production.

The study was carried out in a region of great importance for rice production in China.

The findings are useful for guiding strategies to select sites to evaluation trials in regional rice breeding programs.

Negative Points and suggestions:

The title can be improved, suggest: “Yield, stability and adaptability of hybrid japonica rice varieties in East Coast of China”.

The keywords are not appropriate, they repeat terms already present in the title.

I suggest include in the introduction brief information about the varieties evaluated (origin/breeding program) that justifies their choice/importance for evaluation in the study.

In Material & Methods justify the choice of control variety used in the trials.

The effect of genotypes is significant, but explains only 17% of the total variation observed in the experiments, and the Coefficient of Variation (Table 1) between the averages of the varieties within locations is low (4.36 - 7.72). I suggest better explore this observation in the results and discussion.

Only one reference (30) about genotype by environment interaction with rice crop was used/cited in the discussion. Explore more references specifics about rice culture in the discussion of the results.

The conclusions should be more objective, indicating new findings and answers to the objectives of the study. Part of the conclusions presented contains information about the methodology.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article was revised with corrections and improvements to the text in response to the requests and suggestions presented in the previous review. Therefore, I recommend that the article be accepted for publication.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf