Agronomic Performance and Yield Stability of Large Red Bean Genotypes Using AMMI Model in Midlands of Bale Zone, South-Eastern Ethiopia

In order to identify the agronomic performance and yield stability of the large red bean genotypes, sixteen large red bean genotypes were evaluated in the midlands of bale zone at Goro, Ginir and Dellomena for two consecutive years 2016 and 2017 main cropping season. The genotypes were arranged in randomized complete block design with four replications having plot size of 6.4m2 (4 rows at 40cm spacing and 4m long). The analysis of variance revealed that highly significant variation for environment, genotypes and year X Location, whereas GEI (Genotypes by Environment interaction) showed significant variation for mean grain yield. Of the total sum squares of variation observed, 38.33% was accounted for environment followed by genotypes 11.53% and GEI 4.51%. The significant effect of GE interaction reflected on the differential response of genotypes in various environments and demonstrated that GE interaction had remarkable effect on genotypic performance in different environments. The application of AMMI model for partitioning the GE interaction effects showed that only the first two terms of AMMI were significant. In the AMMI analysis, out of the total GEI variation observed, the first AMMI explained 78.28% of the variation whereas 21.72% was accounted for the AMMI2. A combination of high grain yield potential, stabilityparameter of regression coefficient of unity and minimum deviation mean squares from regression identifies G4 as moderately stable genotype with high grain yield deserved to be promoted for possible release as commercial variety for the midlands of Bale zone and similar agro-ecologies.