Identification of the Optimum Environments for the High Yield and Quality Traits of Lentil Genotypes Evaluated in Multi-Location Trials

Chrysanthi Pankou,Stavroula Kostoula,Anastasia Kargiotidou,Christos Dordas,Athanasios Mavromatis,Christos Noulas,Dimitrios Beslemes,Miltiadis Tziouvalekas,Maria Irakli,Ioannis Tokatlidis,Anastasios Lithourgidis,Evangelia Tigka,Dimitrios N. Vlachostergios,Dimitrios Baxevanos

doi:10.3390/su13158247

Chrysanthi Pankou, Stavroula Kostoula + Show 12 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158247

Copy DOI

Abstract

Lentil is a versatile and profitable pulse crop with high nutritional food and feed values. The objectives of the study were to determine suitable locations for high yield and quality in terms of production and/or breeding, and to identify promising genotypes. For this reason, five lentil genotypes were evaluated in a multi-location network consisting of ten diverse sites for two consecutive growing seasons, for seed yield (SY), other agronomic traits, crude protein (CP), cooking time (CT) and crude protein yield (CPY). A significant diversification and specialization of the locations was identified with regards to SY, CP, CT and CPY. Different locations showed optimal values for each trait. Locations E4 and E3, followed by E10, were “ideal” for SY; locations E1, E3 and E7 were ideal for high CP; and the “ideal” locations for CT were E3 and E5, followed by E2. Therefore, the scope of the cultivation determined the optimum locations for lentil cultivation. The GGE-biplot analysis revealed different discriminating abilities and representativeness among the locations for the identification of the most productive and stable genotypes. Location E3 (Orestiada, Region of Thrace) was recognized as being optimal for lentil breeding, as it was the “ideal” or close to “ideal” for the selection of superior genotypes for SY, CP, CT and CPY. Adaptable genotypes (cv. Dimitra, Samos) showed a high SY along with excellent values for CP, CT and CPY, and are suggested either for cultivation in many regions or to be exploited in breeding programs.

Highlights

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.; Fabaceae) is among the major cool season annual grain legume crops, and is best adapted to semi-arid regions of the Mediterranean Basin and the Indian subcontinent
Less consistent were the results for plant height after flowering (PH): the year (Y) effect was significant only for PH, this trait was further affected by the L and G, and the two way (Y × L and G × L)
Regarding the correlation of cooking time (CT) with seed size, expressed by 1000-seed weight (1000 SW), our findings showed a negative correlation

Summary

Introduction

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.; Fabaceae) is among the major cool season annual grain legume crops, and is best adapted to semi-arid regions of the Mediterranean Basin and the Indian subcontinent. It is among the oldest crops, together with cereals like barley. Sustainability 2021, 13, 8247 and wheat [1], and is probably the oldest domesticated grain legume because carbonized remains of lentil were found in the Franchthi cave in Greece, dated 11,000 BC, and from Tell. It exhibits ecological advantages as a rotational crop in cereal-based cropping systems by acting as break crop for the better control of pests, weeds and diseases, and the better management of herbicide residue, and at the same time plays an important role in maintaining soil fertility due to its capacity to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N2 ) [10].

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion