Genotype x environment interaction effects on yield of rainfed lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties

Abstract

In Uttar Pradesh about 42% rice (Oryza sativa L.) area is under rainfed lowland especially in eastern part of the state. Rice yields in general are very low « 1.0 metric tlha) under this ecosystem due to various macro and micro environmental factors. The study of genotype x environment interaction provides useful information to identify stable genotypes across environments [1-2]. The present study was therefore, undertaken to study G x E interaction and to identify both high yielding and stable rice varieties across different rainfed lowland situations in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Eighteen varieties of rainfed lowland rice were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replications at four locations viz. Masodha Unit III Faizabad, Masodha Unit I Faizabad, Tissuhi-Mirzapur and Gograghat-Baharaich. Generally the stagnation of water depth in the field varies from 20-50 cm at these locations. 25-30 days old seedlings were planted at all locations, during Kharif 1999. Grain yield was recorded on plot basis and converted to metric tlha. was used for statistical analysis.