Phenotypic stability of yield and related characters in desi gram (Cicer arietinum)

Abstract

A set of 22 advanced lines and 3 control varieties of gram    or chickpea (Cicer ariertinum L.) was evaluated in 4 environments during 1988-89 and 1989-90, to determine  the stability for seed yield along with days to 50% flowering and to maturity, and 100-seed weight. Significant differences were observed among genotypes and environments along with significant genotype x environment (G x E) interaction   for means of these characters. Stability analysis showed that both linear and non-linear components significantly
contributed towards G x E interaction for days to 50% flowering, whereas non-linear component predominantly contributed toward seed yield. days to maturity and 100-  seed weight,'K 850' and 'ICCV 89360' were found the most stable genotypes with high yield performance (1 985 and 1 850 kg/ha respectively). Absence of correlation between  seed yield and the sensitivity of genotypes to different environments indicated the possibility of selection for high yield without compromising on its stability.