Stability analysis of durum wheat genotypes by regression parameteres in dryland conditions

The objectives of this study were to estimate genotype x environment (GE) interaction effects and to determine the stable durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum Desf.) genotypes for grain yield in warm winter areas of Iran. Twenty durum wheat genotypes, including 18 experimental lines and two local checks were evaluated during three cropping seasons (2004-2006) at five research sites. The combined analysis of variance indicated that the main effects of location and genotype and interaction effects of genotype x year, genotype x location and genotype x year x location were highly significant for grain yield. GE interaction was analyzed using linear regression techniques. There was considerable variation for grain yield among both genotypes and environments. Stability was estimated using the Eberhart and Russell method. Stability analysis of grain yield in different environments showed that the variance of genotypes and genotypes x environment (linear) interactions were significant. Due to the stability analysis, genotype 12 (D68-1-93A-1A//Ruff/Fg/3/Mtl-5/4/Lahn) indicated relatively minimum value for S2d and a b-value close to unity and hence, it may be considered stable for grain yield in all of the environments. The results showed that G10 (Bcr//Memo/goo) also favor for its stability in high yielding environments. The broad sense heritability was 77%, indicating selection should give a good response for grain yield.