Multi-environment evaluation of Spanish bunch groundnut genotypes for fresh seed dormancy

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate eight promising Spanish bunch groundnut genotypes during four consecutive years (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017) to study genotype × environmental interactions and to identify stable sources of fresh seed dormancy in Spanish background in groundnut. Pooled analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes and genotype × environmental interactions for fresh seed dormancy at weekly intervals indicating that differential behavior of genotypes for fresh seed dormancy over the environmental conditions. Based on the results of intensity and duration of dormancy and germination stability index, identified four stable advanced breeding lines viz., PBS 12192, PBS 12187, PBS 12191 and PBS 12190 having high fresh seed dormancy of three week and two stable advanced breeding lines viz., PBS 12189 and PBS 12171 having high fresh seed dormancy of two week. Therefore, these genotypes can be used as novel genetic stock of fresh seed dormancy in Spanish bunch and they can be integrated into breeding programs to develop high yielding Spanish bunch cultivars with 2-3 weeks of fresh seed dormancy to avoid yield losses due to in-situ germination at the time of crop maturity.