Stability Analysis in Durum Wheat

Stability analysis for grain yield and certain other traits performed in a daillel cross of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) is reported. The genotype x environment interactions were significant for all the evaluated characters, viz. grain yield/plant, spikes/plant, spikelets/spike, grains/spike, 100-grain weight and spike length. For the traits grain yield and spikes/plant both the linear as well as non-linear comp-nents of genotype x environment interaction were significant but the non-linear component was of higher magnitude. However, for spikelets/spike, grains/spike, grain weight and spike length only the linear component of variation was significant indicating thereby that all the genotype X environment interaction for these characters was due to the linear association of the genotypes to the varying environments. The regression analysis revealed that none of the genotypes was stable for all the evaluated characters. However, MPO 306 emerged as the most adaptable genotype exhibiting stable performance for three important characters, viz. grain yield, spikes/plant and grain weight. Raj 1727 and HI 9015 also recorded low regression coefficients as well as non-significant mean square deviations. The hybrids MPO 306 x HI 9015, MPO 311 x HI 9015 and MPO 311 x HI 9017 having depicted stability of yield performance could be successfully exploited for the development of high yielding and stable performing lines.