Integrating Factor Analytic Models to Enhance <i>Urochloa</i> Hybrid Selection Under Genotype‐by‐Environment Interactions in Colombia

ABSTRACT Urochloa hybrids play an essential role in tropical livestock production systems. Forage quantity and quality influence directly meat and milk production. Understanding and managing genotype‐by‐environment interactions are essential for identifying specifically or broadly adapted genotypes. This study represents the first application of factor analytic (FA) models to an elite population of interspecific Urochloa hybrids in Colombia, providing a novel and robust framework to quantify genotype‐by‐environment interactions in tropical forage crops. FA models were applied to evaluate agronomic traits ( biomass , plant height , cover area and fresh and dry mass ) and forage quality traits ( fibre content , crude protein and digestibility ) across five contrasting locations. Results revealed stronger genotype‐by‐environment interactions for nutritional quality traits compared with agronomic traits, which displayed comparatively higher stability across locations. FA1 captured the main interaction structure across environments, whereas FA2 explained secondary contrast, allowing clearer differentiation of environmental responses. Several genotypes showed broad adaptability, such as Br12_3067, whereas others presented specific adaptation to individual sites. These findings demonstrate that integrating FA models with multi‐trait evaluation enhances the efficiency and accuracy of genotype selection in Urochloa . This work provides new insights to support decision‐making for improving forage biomass stability and nutritional quality under diverse tropical conditions.