Stability analysis in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Theil) and durum wheat (T. durum L.) genotypes

Abstract

Wheat is the second most important cereal just after rice. About 85% area of wheat production is under common bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Theil) followed by maccaroni wheat (T. durum L.) occupying 14% area. Wheat is grown under diverse agro-climatic conditions leading to wide fluctuation in productivity level from region to region. Since the growing period of the crop becomes restricted due to sudden increase in the t,emperature after winter; the sowing time has an important bearing on production potential of a genotype. Moreover, in intensive production system, farmers have to adjust the sowing time to suit different crops. Hence, the stable performance of a variety plays an important role in high productivity. The expression of grain yield and its components are the function of genotype of the plant (G), environment at the growing area (E) and G x E interaction. When high G x E interaction prevails, the correlation between genotype and phenotype is reduced to express an optimum phenotype under different environmental conditions. Hence, the main breeding objective is always aimed at to develop high yielding varieties showing good degree of stability over a wide range of environmental conditions. Phenotypic stability in wheat has been investigated by many workers [1-2].