Stability analysis for quantitative traits in velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. Var. utilis (Wall. ex Wight) Baker ex Burck)

The experimental material comprising of seventeen germplasm lines viz; MPVB-1, MPVB-2, MPVB-3, MPVB-4, MPVB-5, MPVB-6, MPVB-7, MPVB-8, MPVB-9, MPVB-10, MPVB-11, MPVB-12, MPVB-13, MPVB-14, MPVB-15, MPVB-16 and MPVB-17 were collected from North and Western part of India (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Utter Pradesh) during 2003–04, and were grown in randomized block design with three replications, in a two row plot of 4 meters length, having 75 x 60 cms row to row and plant to plant distance, in four environments at Herbal Park, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India during 2004 to 2007. The objective of this study was to identify stable genotypes of velvet bean for seed yield and contributing traits like number of pods/plant, pod length, number of seeds/plant and 100 seed weight. The genotype x environment linear and non-linear components was significant for all the traits. Germplasm line MPVB-14 was found stable for seed yield/plant under variable environmental conditions. Similarly, MPVB- 13 was found stable for seed yield/plant, 100-seed weight and number of seeds/pod in favorable environment, while the germplasm lines MPVB-11 and MPVB-16 exhibited stability and suitability under unfavorable environmental conditions for seed yield/plant. The germplasm line MPVB-13 was found stable for all the traits except number of pods/plant, while the germplasm line MPVB-16 was also found stable for all the traits except number of seeds/pod Therefore, these promising lines could be further exploited for commercial cultivation or could be used in further improvement programme.