Evaluation of Genotype x Environment Interaction and Stability of Grain Yield and Related Yield Components in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.)

Abstract

Thirty six pearl millet genotypes were evaluated in randomized complete block design with two replications during 2011/2012 at two locations to study the magnitude of genotype by environment interaction for yield and yield related traits and identify the most stable high yielding genotypes. ANOVA of data at individual locations revealed significant differences among genotypes at Marigat and Koibatek for all yield components. Combined mean analysis of variance showed that the Lagat et al.; JEAI, 21(1): 1-18, 2018; Article no.JEAI.24311 2 Genotype and location main effects and the genotype by environment interaction were highly significant (P≤0.01) for grain yield and other traits, indicating differential response of genotypes across testing locations and the need for stability analysis. Marigat was the most suitable environment and gave highest mean grain yield of 3620 kg/ha. The lowest yield 870 Kg/ha was recorded at Koibatek. Genotypes EUP 32, EUP 35, EUP 19 and EUP 10 produced high mean yield of 3530, 3080, 2690 and 2590 kg/ha respectively. The lowest grain 1290 kg/ha was obtained from genotype EUP 4.Based on the parameters of stability, three stable (widely adapted) and high yielding genotypes (EUP 34, EUP 18, and EUP 9) were identified. They also out-yield the standard open pollinated variety (OPV) check, Kat PM2. Genotypes EUP 32 was the highest yielding across all sites followed by EUP 35 and could be recommended for further multi-location evaluation in warmer environment and possible release for commercial production. The findings of this study showed that pearl millet hybrids have high potential for commercial production in Kenya than the OPVs. The ANOVA results showed that the effects of environments, genotypes and genotype x environment interaction (GE) were important in trait expression and performance of genotypes. In addition, it was observed that amount of rainfall received at both vegetative and post-anthesis phases and temperature had an effect on grain yield. The GGE biplot analysis characterised the environments in terms of stability and productivity, where Marigat was the best for grain yield; implying that environment-specific selection should be adopted. Genotypes EUP 34, EUP 18, and EUP 9 were the best performing since they out yielded the standard OPV check. These stable high yielding genotypes can be evaluated further in varied agro-ecologies and recommended for release as commercial hybrid varieties in ASALs of Kenya. Original Research Article

Micronutrient Fortification of Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] Hybrids using Customized Fertilizer Formulation

“…The differences in dry matter production and nutrient use acquisition efficiencies between the hybrids of pearl millet might be attributed to the effect of the genetic makeup of the hybrids. These findings are closely correlated by Arshewar et al (2018), Lagat et al (2018) and Bijarnia et al (2020).…”

Multi-Locational Evaluation of Forage-Suited Selected Sudan Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] Accessions Identified High-Yielding and Stable Genotypes in Irrigated, Arid Environments

“…Information on GEI is important for plant breeders to develop improved, stable and better-adapted varieties. In this study, the statistical analysis showed that the genotype and environment main effects and genotype × environment interaction were very highly significant (p ≤ 0.001) for forage yield and all other traits except stem girth, indicating the differential response of genotypes in cross-testing environments [18].…”

“…The existence of genotype × environment interaction is challenging for crop improvement and could hamper genetic gain, especially under stress conditions such as those usually facing pearl millet production [10,11,18,38]. Understanding the environmental causes of the GEI could facilitate the identification of adaptive plant traits and may lead to a more rational choice of test environments for crop breeding programs [18,19,38].…”

“…The evaluation of genotype × environment interaction (GEI) is necessary when different genotypes respond differently to different environments [17]. A significant GEI can seriously compromise efforts to select superior genotypes for crop adaptation and variety development programs [17][18][19]. Several methods have been developed and used to evaluate the GEI in different crops, including pearl millet [20].…”

“…Several methods have been developed and used to evaluate the GEI in different crops, including pearl millet [20]. Amongst them, the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis have been used to identify superior and welladapted genotypes, while genotype and genotype × environment (GGE) biplot analysis has been used for the graphical discrimination of the genotypes and environments [17,18,20]. The AMMI model incorporates both the additive and multiplicative components of the two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).…”