Stability Analysis of Yield and Yield-Contributing Traits in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes under Different Sowing Environments in India

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most vital leguminous crops globally, renowned for its high nutritional value, particularly for its protein content. It is primarily grown in semi-arid regions, where it is exposed to various biotic and abiotic stresses, including drought, heat, and soil salinity. Its adaptability to different agroclimatic conditions makes it an essential crop in diverse farming systems. The present study explores the stability analysis of yield and yield-contributing traits in chickpea genotypes under different sowing environments in India. An experiment was carried out during Rabi 2023-24 at MPKV Rahuri, on three different sowing dates to identify high-yielding and stable chickpea genotypes for cultivation. The stability of 17 chickpea genotypes was evaluated across three environments using a Randomized Block Design with three replications. Stability analysis was done with the method given by Eberhart and Russell Model. Pooled analysis of variance for phenotypic stability across three different environments indicated that mean differences due to genotypes were statistically significant for the characters viz., days to 50% flowering, plant height, primary branches per plant, secondary branches per plant, pods per plant, 100 seed weight and yield per plant when tested against G × E interaction, pooled deviation and pooled error. Stability analysis indicated important role of linear and non- linear components in G X E interactions. Some genotypes exhibited below average stability, indicating higher responsiveness to favorable environments. The check variety Phule Vikram (C) showed below average stability for yield per plant. For seeds per pod, the genotypes Phule G-1623-3-4, Phule G-171028 and Phule G-171060 exhibited below average stability.   The genotypes Phule G-1609-4-4, Phule G-1616-5-6, Phule G-1620-7-5, Phule G-1628-15-13 and Phule G-171028 showed average stability for yield per plant under different sowing conditions, whereas the genotypes Phule G-1609-4-8 and Phule G-171061 have recorded below average stability, indicating their suitability for a favorable or poor environment.