Yield Performance of Some Lentil Genotypes over Different Environments

Abstract

Core Ideas: Genotype × environment interaction among 11 genotypes was highly significant over three different locations. Genotype NL 96475A was most stable for all environments. Genotype NL 96680 was suitable for low-performing environments. The assessment and measurement of yield stability of a genotype over environments is an important component of a certain breeding program. Ten elite genotypes of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) and one check variety were evaluated for their adaptability at three different locations of Punjab Province, viz—Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Faisalabad; Barani Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Chakwal; and Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI), Bhakar. Trials were conducted during two consecutive years (2013–2014). Genotype × environment interactions (of crossover nature) among 11 genotypes and 3 environments were observed to be highly significant. Mean seed yield was found maximum for NL 56-1 (718 kg ha−1) followed by NL 96475A (709 kg ha−1) during 2013. However, NL 96475A had shown stable performance at different locations and was better responsive to favorable conditions having high regression coefficients. NL 96680 also appeared to be a stable genotype for low-performing environments, as it had a regression coefficient less than unity. In the year 2014, the same genotypes, NL 96475A and NL 96680, had shown stable performance. NL 96475A was found suitable for all environments, and NL 96680 was suited to a low-performing environment. On the basis of these observations, it has been concluded that NL 96475A was the most stable genotype with mean yield greater than the grand mean, nonsignificant estimates of unit regression coefficient, and deviation from regression.