Yield Stability Analysis of Late Set Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L.) Genotypes

Abstract

Pigeon pea breeding program in Ethiopia has been started recently and is actively involved in improving the genetic yield potential to meet the needs of farmers in different parts of the country through genotype introduction. Since performance of the genotypes depends on the genetic potential of the crop and the environment in which the crop is grown, this study aimed at the evaluation of yield performance and stability of six late set pigeon pea genotypes including the standard check. Yield performances were evaluated at five locations namely Bako, Billo, Gute, Uke and Chewaka in parts of western Oromia during 2021 main growing seasons. The experiment in each location was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The results showed that the yield performances of late set pigeon pea genotypes were highly influenced by genotype-environment interaction (GEI). The yield components were significantly affected by GEI. The partitioning of the G + GE sum of squares showed that IPCA1 and IPCA2 were significant components which accounted for 29.72 % and 34.86 % of G + GE sum of squares, respectively. Highly significant mean square was observed for genotypes, genotypes by Environment interaction and environment indicating adaptation for high performance environments showing these genotypes were sensitive to environments and gave maximum yield when inputs are not limited. Genotypes ICEAP 01499 and ICEAP 01489 were stable and had relatively high yield performances across test environments. Hence, these two genotypes were identified as candidate genotypes to be verified for possible release in the subsequent season for Western Oromia and areas with similar agro-ecologies.