Evaluation of grain yield and its stability in bread wheat genotypes in saline regions of Iran

To identify bread wheat genotypes with higher grain yield and stability in saline regions of Iran, 17 elite genotypes along with three salinity tolerant control (Ofogh, Narin and Sistan) were evaluated in five regions including Birjand, Yazd, Zabol, Isfahan and Kerman, during two consecutive cropping seasons (2016-2018) under saline conditions. In all regions, the experiments were performed based on the randomized complete block with four replications. The result of combined analysis of variance indicated that the interactions of year×location×genotype were significant. To dissection of genotype-by-environment interaction (GE) and yield stability of genotypes, AMMI analysis and several parametric and non-parametric statistics were estimated. Based on AMMI2's biplot and stability statistics, G1, G2, G3, G6, G9, G10 and G20 genotypes were identified as the most stable genotypes. The results of correlation analysis showed that among all stability statistics, only ASV had a positive and significant association with grain yield. Taken together, our results revealed that G9 genotype had the highest grain yield (4.60 t. ha–1); hence, this genotype can be recommended as a high-yielding and stable genotype for cultivation in saline-prone regions of Iran.