Genotypes x environment interactions and stability analysis for bulb yield and its attributes in garlic (Allium sativum L.)

A trial was conducted on genotype x environment interaction and phenotypic stability for bulb yield and its attributes in garlic for two consecutive rabi season (2008–09 and 2009–10) three locations viz., Junagadh, Mahuva and Dhari centre of Gujarat involving eight promising genotypes of garlic. The pooled analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the mean squares due to genotypes (G), environments (E), G x E and E + (GxE) for all the traits. Variance due to G x E (linear) was significant only for marketable bulb yield and bulb equatorial diameter, while non-linear component of G x E i.e. pooled deviation was significant for plant height number of leaves per plant, 10-bulb yield and bulb polar diameter. The maximum and minimum bulb yield was obtained from genotype JG-0612 (1.873 kg/plot) and AGS-06-24 (1.187 kg/plot), respectively with a population mean of 1.544 kg/plot. All the eight genotypes for marketable bulb yield, bulb polar diameter, bulb equatorial diameter were stable as they possessed non-significant S²di except JG-0508 fqr marketable bulb yield and JG-0613 for bulb polar diameter. In general, all the genotypes did not show any uniform stability and linear pattern for all the traits. However, JG-0612 could be considered as most stable and responsive genotype as it possesses higher bulb yield along with b=1 and non-significant S²di value and hence could be recommended for general adaptability.