Stability analysis for grain yield in rabi sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.]

Abstract

Assessment of the stability of a genotype under different environments is useful for recommending cultivars for known conditions of c.;ultivation [1 J. Rabi sorghums [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.J in India are grown under varjed edaphic and environmental conditions and they are known to exhibit high degree of genotype and environmental interaction. Rabi sorghums are very crucial for food and fodder security in the drought prone areas of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh [2J as there is no alternative remunerative cereal which can be grown during this season, which receives only 8% of the annual rainfall [3J. In Maharashtra, 75% of total cultivated area in rabi is under sorghum which indicates its relative importance. Though efforts have been made to develop hybrids with wider adaptability to varied production environments (Shallow to medium soils, Deep soils and Irrigated conditions), the efforts have not been successful so far. To elevate the productivity, there is a requirement to develop and identify high yielding hybrids, which are adapted well to production environments of rabi sorghum. Blum [4J discussed limitations in using hybrid per se as a selection criterion based on the large effect of environments. Hence there is an urgent need to develop hybrids with suitable performance over a wide range of environmental conditions. For this information on stability of newly developed hybrids is quite important. The present study attempts to analyse the stability of newly bred hybrids of different sorghum breeding centers of All India Coordinated Sorghum Improvement Project.