Genotype x environment (GxE) interaction and stability analysis for seed yield and its component traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The present investigation was undertaken to estimate the G x E interaction and to identify stable genotypes for seed yield and its component traits in chickpea under timely and late sown conditions. Forty five chickpea genotypes were evaluated during Rabi season for two consecutive years (2017-18 and 2018-19). Each genotype was sown in Randomized Block Design with three replications at the research farm of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, C.C.S. University, Meerut (U.P.), India. The pooled analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters whereas environment and environment (linear) showed adequate variability among the environments. Genotype x Environment (GxE) and pooled deviation were found to be significant for all the studied characters except protein content and GxE (linear) revealed significant variation for all the studied characters except harvest index. Stability analysis revealed that the six genotypes viz. P-6225, BKG-21204, ICC-1608, BGG-21168, BG-547and PDG-84-10 has a high mean value (̄), regression coefficient (bi) in unity and non-significant deviation from regression (S²d) were found more stable for seed yield across the environments over the years. Therefore, the above-mentioned genotypes can be incorporated as breeding stocks in any future breeding programs aiming to produce high yielding lines of chickpea.