Abstract

Narendra Tendulkar Tagore

Integrating yield and stability of genotypes tested in unpredictable environments is a common breeding objective. The importance of stability estimation has more values in perennial crops such as drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lamk), as it has occupied the area for many years. Drumstick is found both in annual and perennial forms, where the former type bears only edible pods and the latter produces both edible and non edible bitter pods. In India, the west and northern part has perennial types predominantly due to which the commercial cultivation of drumstick remain at poor level in this region. Hence, the main goal of the study is to identify a superior genotype for the rain fed areas among 14 genotypes. Stability analysis was assessed by yield stability statistic (yi), yield regression statistic (ri) and yield distance statistic (di). The analysis of variance revealed that the genotype were highly significant for all characters under the environment studied. However, number of flowers per plant showed non significance for environments in the study. G × E (Genotypic × Environment interaction), E+ (G × E) [Environment + (Genotype × Environment)] and E [Environment (Linear)] showed significant values for all the characters. Pooled deviation exhibited significance for number of fruits per plant and yield per plant. Among the genotypes studied, PKM-2, MO-1 and PKM-1 were found stable for number of fruits per plant and yield due to bi value around unity and non significant S2 di value. Hence, PKM-2 and MO-1 were found to fit for favorable environment and PKM-1 for unfavorable environment for commercial cultivation for semi arid region of India.