Investigation of Grain Yield Stability of Desi Type Chickpea across Different Environments and Introducing Promising Lines

Improvement and release of last desi types chickpea cultivars (Pirouz and Kaka) goes back to more than forty years ago. Objective of this study was to achieve new high yielding, stable and adaptable chickpea genotypes to spring sowing at dry western highlands of Iran.

In this study, 18 selected desi type chickpea lines as well as two check varieties (Pirouz and Kaka), were compared at four experimental stations including Kurdistan, Maragheh, Urmia and Zanjan during three consecutive years (2015-2018). Experimets were arranged in RCB designs with three replications each year at each station. Statistical calculations including simple and pooled analysis of variance were done on seed yield data. Genotype by environment interaction was analyzed through AMMI model and GGE biplot.

Results of this study revealed that two first IPC’s were significant. Partitioning of total sum of squares indicated that effect of genotypes followed by G×E interaction and effect of environment were siginificant sources of variations in this analysis, respectively and identified different environmental groups. According to the GGE biplot analysis, a number of new genotypes were identified that were competitive with Cv. Pirouz in terms of grain yield and yield stability.

Genotype by environment interaction had vital role in identification and introduction of two promising lines with high seed yield, acceptable stability rank and favorite marketability, G2 (IDDMAR-2012-32) and G1 (IDDUR-2012-12). These genotypes can be introduced to chickpea farmers as alternative to Cv. Pirouz after complementary studies.