Stability analysis of elite chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) lines for yield and yield attributes under rainfed condition

Eighteen elite breeding lines and 3 released cultivars of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) were evaluated for their stability during winter seasons of 2008–2011 in completely randomised block design (CRBD) with three replications under rainfed conditions at Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur (India). Data was collected on days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height (cm) pods per plant, 100-seed weight (gram) plot yield kg/ha and seed yield per plant (gram). Pooled analysis of variance revealed that the mean sum of squares for all traits studied were found highly significant (except days to maturity) indicating presence of high amount of variability among the genotypes and environments. Above average stability showed by genotypes IPC 2006-103, IPC 2007–28 and DCP 923 indicated the adaptability of these genotypes to specifically unfavorable environments. As per Eberhart-Russell (1966) model on the basis of mean grain yield, regression coefficient and deviationfrom regression, genotype IPC 2007–69 was found most suitable for favourable environments, and DCP 92-3 and IPC 2006-112 were specifically adapted to poor environments.