Identification of stable and high yielding genotypes in blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] germplasm

Abstract

Sixty four accessions of black gram genotypes which included 61 germplasm accessions and three released check varieties were studied over four environments of rainy and post rainy seasons of 2008 and 2009 for their seed yield and stability. The results have shown that KARS-112 and KARS- 170 with bi less than 1, performed better in sub-optimum environments while CN-9078 and KARS-269 with bi greater than 1, performed well in optimum environments. However, five accessions viz., PSR-3798, KARS-235, KARS-012, SKN-138 and KDRS-251 with bi = 1, demonstrated better yield per plant in both optimum and sub-optimum environments (four seasons) and also outperformed the best check PU- 19. The study thus shows that genotypes KARS-112 and KARS-170 are better suited for sub-optimum environments like drought prone areas and CN-9078 and KARS-269 are more suited for high input, favourable environmental regions of coastal ecosystems along with areas of assured rainfall, fertilizer and other inputs. However, PSR-3798 and KARS-235 R the most stable with wider adaptability to both poor and better environments.