Genotype x environment interactions refer to the phenomenon where the performance or expression of a plant's traits is influenced by the specific environmental conditions in which it is grown. This interaction is crucial in plant breeding as different genotypes may exhibit different responses to various environmental factors such as temperature, soil type, moisture availability, and disease pressure. Breeders need to evaluate and select plant varieties that perform consistently well across a range of environments to ensure broad adaptability and stability of the developed cultivars.