Abstract

Seed yield of 20 genotypes of chickpea was investigated under two different environmental conditions of Pakistan during 2007 to 2008. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications in each environment. Within environment, genotype main effect was significant. Similarly, genotype by environmental interaction was also significant. Genotypes at Karak produced significantly greater seed yield than at Peshawar. Cluster analysis of chickpea genotypes based on seed yield resulted in two main clusters. These two clusters were again subdivided into three and two sub-clusters indicating considerable diversity for grain yield among the chickpea genotypes. GGE biplot analysis ranked genotypes on above average seed yield across environments as Lo-3, Lo-2, Pk-2, Lo-4 and Pk-3 as top five genotypes, while the bottom five genotypes were identified as Sy-7, Pk-1, Sy-4, Sy-5 and Pk-5. For stability of performance across environments, Pk-4, In and Pk-3 were identified as most stable genotypes followed by Lo-2, Pk-2, Pk-3 and Lo-3. On the basis of both stable performance and mean seed yield across environment, the GGE biplot ranked genotypes Lo-3 as the best among all, followed by Lo-2, Pk-2, Pk-3 and Lo-4, while the rest of the genotypes were identified as inferior. Karak was identified as representative environment as compared to Peshawar.

Key words: Genotype × Environment interaction (GEI), bioplot analysis, Cicer arietinum L., Seed yield.

Abbreviation

GEI, Genotype × environment interaction; MET, multi-environment trials.