Quantification of genotype × environment interaction of agronomic traits in ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal)

Abstract

Ashwagandha is a popular industrially medicinal plant used in Ayurveda and other traditional medical systems. We looked at the stability of the sixteen economic traits in the five ashwagandha genotypes in four locations over two years in south India. The pooled ANOVA showed significant differences among different lines of ashwagandha. The five genotypes (G), genotypes × locations interaction (G × L), and treatments were highly significant for all sixteen traits. The character's associations directly impact the genotype's ability to sustain stability. The traits X10-VS-X13 and X3-VS-X4 were positively and significantly related across the locations over the three years, according to correlations among the selected traits, indicating that choosing one trait had a beneficial impact on its associated attributes. Except for location I year two, the traits, specifically X11-VS-X13, were highly significant across all locations. The characteristics, specifically X12-VS-X13, were also highly significant, except for location I year I. The genotypes nearest the ideal variety are more desirable than the other. The genotypes W.S. 3 and W.S. 5 for the traits X11 and X16, W.S. 2, and W.S. 5 for the trait X15 were more desirable for selection. In a large amount, both predictable and unanticipated components contributed to the stability. The PCA distribution also showed a significant amount of morphologically based genetic variability. Different genotypes of ashwagandha showed a substantial variation in X15 = Withaferin-A (%) and X16 = Withanolide-A (%). The percentages of X15 = Withaferin-A (W.S.2 > W.S.5 > W.S. > 4 W.S.3 > W.S.1) and X16 = Withanolide-A (W.S.3 > W.S.5 > W.S.4 > W.S.2 > W.S.1) were shown to be 0.07 to 1.24% and 0.088 to 1.88%, respectively. Based on the mean performance of the most economically important traits and stability parameters, the two superior genotypes, W.S. 3 and W.S. 5 were highly stable for dry root yield with high-quality alkaloids. In south India, these genotypes are recommended for further cultivation.