Genotype x environment interaction studies in rainfed groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

A field experiment with 30 rainfed groundnut genotypes was undertaken in randomized complete block design with two replications to study the stability and performance for yield, physiological and quality traits across three sowing dates (environments) during the kharif groundnut growing seasons in 2015. Eberhart and Russell‟s model was used for estimating the stability parameters. The results revealed significant genotype × envirnoment interaction for the traits studied. Partitioning of the environment + (genotype × environment) component into environment (linear) revealed the significance of environment (linear) component for all the traits studied. Further, normal kharif season was observed to be congenial for pod yield per plant, sound mature kernel per cent, kernel yield per plant, 100 kernel weight, SCMR, SLA, haulm yield per plant, oil and protein content, while early kharif was noticed to be favourable for days to 50 per cent flowering, pods per plant and free proline. Results on stability parameters revealed the potential of K1717 and K1802 genotypes for pod yield per plant; K1899 and K1884 for kernel yield per plant; K1809 and Anantha for oil content for cultivation across the groundnut growing kharif seasons studied. The genotype, K1717, however, had recorded high kernel yield per plant, in addition to regression coefficient greater than unity and non-significant deviation from regression, indicating its suitability for cultivation during normal kharif season.

Keywords

• genotype × environment interaction
• groundnut
• physiological
• quality
• stability
• yield