Genotype and environment interaction effect on yield and yield components in Desi-type Chickpea [Cicer arietinum (L.)]

Abstract

Chickpea is the major pulse crop cultivated in Ethiopia. However, its production is constrained due to genotype instability and environmental variability. This research was carried out to examine the magnitude of environmental effect on yield of chickpea genotypes and to investigate the stability and adaptability of genotypes under different agro-ecologies. Twelve genotypes evaluated in randomized complete block design with three replications in three locations for two continuative years. Various stability indices used to assess stability and genotype by environment performances. Combined analysis of variance for yield and yield components revealed highly significant (P≤0.01) differences for genotypes, environments and their interaction. Growing years do not show difference. The significant interaction showed genotypes respond differently across environments. At Guduru, Hareto and Gitilo, top performing genotype in grain yield were genotype 229961 (2.33ton/ha), genotype 225887 (3.6ton/ha), and genotype 225887 (2.23/ha), respectively. The first two principal components (PC1 and PC2), which were used to create a two-dimensional bi-plot, explained 7.5 and 3.75% of AMMI sum of squares, respectively. Hareto and Guduru are the most differentiating environments, while Gitilo is more responsive environment than the other environments since it is far away from the other in altitude. Genotype 212476 and 212976 were the most stable as well as productive at Hreto environment, genotype 229961 and 225887 were the most stable as well as productive at Guduru environment. Genotype 229959 and 215189 were stable with intermediate productive in both years and at three of the growing locations. Genotype 219804 and 225889 are less responsive. The best genotypes with respect to Guduru site are 229959 and 215189: the best genotype for environments with respect to Hareto was 212476 and 212976, and to Gitilo environment 229961 and 225887 genotypes.

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“…The result of combined analysis of variance revealed the presence of highly significant (P<0.01) difference among locations, varieties and varieties by environment interaction for traits suggested differences in environments and the presence of sufficient genetic variability for these trait that can be exploited in breeding programs. Highly significant variation for grain yield other yield related traits in chickpea were also reported by various authors [14,15,[18][19][20]. The significant differences were observed between locations for all traits.…”

“…This indicates that the two locations were significantly different for the performance of varieties for these traits. The significant differences between locations were reported in chickpea by Desalegn and Pichiah [19], Desai, et al [18] and Getachew, et al [15].…”

“…The differential performance of varieties across environment varies significantly and the performance of plants depends directly on the environmental conditions [21]. Other authors also reported the significant influence of genotype by location interaction on the performance of chickpea [15,18,19].…”