Exegesis of cultivars-multi-year/environment interactions for agro morphological traits in Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal)

Abstract

A randomized block design was used to examine the important medicinal plant ashwagandha in three replications throughout the late Kharif seasons of 2018, 2019, and 2020. The cultivars of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal), CIMAP Chetak, CIMAP Pratap, NMITLI-101, NMITLI-118, and Poshita were used to evaluate the quality of dry root yield for a better quality of five variations over the years in south India and variety recommendations. The years I and III were the two years with the most discrimination, whereas year II had the least discrimination. A lower AEA angle in a test year is more typical of subsequent test years. The first and second years are the most representative, whereas the third and fourth are the least representative. The year I was discriminating and representative during the test year, making them suitable candidates for selecting adapted varieties. The separation of stable and unstable types was made easier in environments that were discriminating or non-representative of test years. There was much diversity for stability in the various traits, as reflected by the character means. A line that passes through the biplot origin and measures performance over a year determines the rank. Four varieties, CIMAP-Pratap, Poshtita, CIMAP-Chetak, and NMITLI-118, were highly stable and good rankers for the dry root yield, root starch (%), starch and fiber ratio, and total alkaloid, among other economic traits (%). These varieties were highly stable for dry root yield and root starch (%), starch and fiber ratio, and total alkaloid, based on the mean performance of major economic features and stability measures (%). As a result, these types are recommended for further cultivation in southern India.