Multivariate stability analysis to select elite rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes for grain yield, zinc and Iron

), days to 50% flowering, grain Fe content (PPM), and grain Zn content (PPM). The study also aimed to identify the genotypes that displayed the best performance according to the multi-trait stability index (MTSI), multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI), and factor analysis and ideotype-design (FAI-BLUP) index. AMMI analysis demonstrated significant variation for environment (E), genotype (G), and genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) (P < 0.01) for all the studied traits. The AMMI1 biplot showed that PC1 explained the majority of the variation for GY (77.6%), DTF (90.5%), Fe (73.5%), and Zn (86.8%), helping to identify stable and high-performing genotypes. AMMI2 biplot further resolved complex GEI patterns, highlighting genotypes with specific adaptability to individual environments. The GGE biplot revealed clear "which-won-where" patterns for GY, DTF, Fe, and Zn, explaining 94.37%, 99.71%, 83.49%, and 96.93% of GEI variation, respectively. BLUP analysis using a linear mixed model revealed significant GEI effects for GY, DTF, Fe, and Zn across 30 rice genotypes in three environments. Low heritability was observed for Fe (28.2%) and moderate for GY (54.4%) and Zn (56.4%), while DTF showed high heritability with strong genotypic accuracy. Genotype G7 was identified as stable, early, high-yielding, and rich in Fe based on HMGV, RPGV, and HMRPGV indices. The MTSI, MGIDI and FAI-BLUP analysis revealed that BHU-SKS-1 (G15) and IR105696 -1-2-3-1-1-1 -B (G9) were the most stable and best mean performer for high grain yield and high grain Fe & Zn content, while IR 108,195-3-1-1-2 (G7) was the most stable and best mean performer for high grain yield and high grain Fe content with early flowering.