Journal of Biodiversity & Endangered Species

Evaluation of Bread Wheat Genotypes for their Adaptability in Wheat Growing Areas of Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Hintsa Gebru and Fetien Abay

Ten genotypes were tested for their adaptability study at five wheat growing areas of Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia. The elite varieties were arranged in RCB design with three replications. Data on grain yield was taken and subjected in to analysis of variance using Genstat 12 statistical software. Univariate stability analysis was also computed using different stability models. The combined analysis of variance showed that there were significant variations among genotypes, locations and their interaction. Based on grain yield, Mekelle-03 (3.24 t/ha) and FRET1 (3.15 t/ha) had scored the highest yield, while the local check yielded the least (2.35 t/ha). With respect to the univariate stability parameters, the different models identified the stability performance of the varieties. Based on the overall rank sum of stability parameters, the local check, M20ESWYT-46, Picaflor and FRET1were the most stable varieties, while HAR-1668, HAR-2501 and JEFERSON the least stable once. Since the tested varieties had shown differential yield responses across the environments, it is concluded that varietal recommendation should be based not only on overall mean yield, but also on their stability performance.