Adaptability and yield stability of cowpea elite lines of semi-prostrate growth habit in the cerrado biome

Massaine Bandeira E Sousa,Kaesel Jackson Damasceno-Silva,Laíze Raphaelle Lemos Lima,Maurisrael De Moura Rocha,José Ângelo Nogueira De Menezes Júnior

doi:10.5935/1806-6690.20170098

Abstract

The effects of the genotype × environment interaction can be reduced by using cultivars with high adaptability and good yield stability. Studies on this subject allow identification of genotypes of predictable behavior, and responsive to environmental variations in specific and general conditions, in favorable or unfavorable environments. The objective of this work was to evaluate the adaptability and phenotypic stability of cowpea elite lines of semi-prostrate growth habit in the Cerrado biome in Brazil. Twenty cowpea genotypes of semi-prostrate growth habit were evaluated in nine VCU (value for cultivation and use) tests from 2010 to 2012. Grain yield data were subjected to analysis of variance, and stability and adaptability analyses were carried out by the methods of Eberhart and Russell (1966), Lin and Binns (1988) (modified), Wricke (1965), and Annicchiarico (1992). The method of Wricke (1965) was not very descriptive, since it indicates only the contribution of each genotype to the genotype × environment interaction. The results obtained by the methods of Lin and Binns (1988) (modified), Annicchiarico (1992) and Eberhart and Russell (1966) were more descriptive, and similar in indicating the most promising cultivar (BRS-Xiquexique) and lines (Pingo-de-Ouro-1-2, MNC02-676F-1, MNC01-649F-2-1 and MNC02-677F-2). These lines have potential for the development of new cultivars because they present adaptability and yield stability in the Cerrado biome of Brazil.

Highlights

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] is cultivated in the Northeast, North and Center-West regions of Brazil
The results obtained by the methods of Lin and Binns (1988), Annicchiarico (1992) and Eberhart and Russell (1966) were more descriptive, and similar in indicating the most promising cultivar (BRS-Xiquexique) and lines (Pingo-de-Ouro-1-2, MNC02-676F-1, MNC01-649F-2-1 and MNC02677F-2)
One of the main challenges in genetic improvement of species is to understand genotype × environments interaction (G×E), which is assessed by the evaluation of the genotypes in different environments (CRUZ; CARNEIRO; REGAZZI, 2014)

Summary

Introduction

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] is cultivated in the Northeast, North and Center-West regions of Brazil. The evaluation of G×E is very important because of the possibilities of genotypes behave differently in different environments due to G×E (RESENDE; DUARTE, 2007). This behavior affects the selection gain and makes it difficult to recommend cultivars with wide adaptability. The adaptability and stability of cowpea genotypes have been the goal of several studies (BARROS et al, 2013; NUNES et al, 2014; ROCHA et al, 2007; SANTOS et al, 2016; VALADARES et al, 2010) These studies have subsidized the improvement and release of cultivars in several states of the North, Northeast and Center-West regions of Brazil (FREIRE FILHO et al, 2011)

Objectives

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Results

Conclusion