Stability analysis for seed yield and its component traits in rice bean (Vigna umbellata)

Fifty germplasm lines of rice bean were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) at three locations during kharif season for two consecutive years. Stability analysis was carried out as per Eberhart and Russell (1966) model. The pooled analysis of variance due to genotypes was found highly significant for all the characters indicating the presence of considerable genetic variability among the genotypes. Highly significant pooled deviation for all the characters except days to flowering, pods/cluster, podlength, seeds/pod and seed weight was observed suggesting that the performance of the various genotypes under study fluctuated significantly from their respective linear path of response to environments. The genotype × environment interactions for most of the characters were also highly significant revealing differential interactions of genotypes with changes in the environments. Among all the genotypes studied, ‘NRB-34’ and ‘NRB-35’ were found most stable for yield/plant.