Estimating stability parameters and genotype ' environment interaction for forage yield and related traits in Anjan grass (Cenchrus ciliaris)

Twenty promising genotypes of Anjan grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) was grown in RBD and observed for forage productivity and other growth paramets for three years (kharif 2013–15). Each genotype was grown in 4 row of 5 m length. The pooled analysis of variance revealed significant genotypic (G), environment (E) and GxE interactions for all the characters except leaves tiller⁻¹ and leaf-stem ratio which suggested that fodder yield and its contributing characters were highly influenced by environment. Mean fodder yield ranged from 32.3 to 57.9 q ha^{− 1}. Stability parameters were found that regression coefficients ranged from 0.59 to 1.5 for fodder yield which indicates that genotypes had different responses to environmental changes. The highest fodder yields were obtained from IG 67–365 and IG 67–75 of 57.9 and 57.6 q ha⁻¹, respectively with low stability indicated by significant value of deviation from regression. These cultivars are sensitive to environmental changes and would be recommended for cultivation under favorable environments. On the other hand IG 96–505 and IGFRI-3018 are lowest fodder yielder with significant negative value of deviation from regression which indicating that these genotypes may be performed better under unfavourable environment. IG 96–531, IG 96–410, IG 96–666 and IG 96–414 genotypes showed average stability (i.e. regression coefficients not significantly different from 1.0 with fodder yields above grand mean) thus could be considered for wide adaption.