G x E interactions and stability analysis for seed cotton yield and its components in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Abstract

A line x tester analysis using 10 lines and five testers were carried out to study the stability of 50 hybrids over environments using three different sowing dates for seed cotton yield and its quantitative traits in cotton. The analysis of variance for stability revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters when tested against the pooled error and pooled deviation. The mean square due to environments (E) was also found significant when tested against the pooled error and pooled deviation for all the characters. G x E interactions were non-significant for all the characters except days to 50% flowering, days to 50% boll bursting, seed index and oil content indicating linear response of different genotypes for various traits under varied environmental conditions. The variance due to environments (linear) was significant for all the traits when tested against pooled error as well as pooled deviation. The stability parameters viz., overall mean (X̅), regression coefficient (bi) and deviation from regression (S2di) revealed that the hybrids G.Cot 18 x GSHV 173, G.Cot 18 x GTHV 7/70, G.Cot 12 x GTHV 7/70, G.Cot 12 x G.Cot 20 and GJHV 511 x GSHV 173 were the most widely adapted and stable crosses for seed cotton yield per plant and its components. The parents GJG 101, Deviraj, G.Cot 12, G.Cot 10, GJHV 500, GJHV 511, GJHV 517, GJHV 521, GJHV 536, Suraj, G.Cot 20, GSHV 173 and GTHV 7/70 were identified as the stable genotypes for seed cotton yield and its components and hence, they may be utilized in breeding programmes for incorporation of stability in cotton. Key wordsCotton, stability, Eberhart and Russell Model, Environments, G x E interaction.