GRAIN YIELD STABILITY ANALYSIS AND QUALITY TRAITS IN BREAD WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) UNDER DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Stability analysis was conducted for 10 different morphological and heat tolerance parameters in 9 diverse genotypes, their 36 F1’s and two checks viz., RAJ 4079 and HI 1544 in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Homogeneous error variance was non-significant for these 10 characters hence, pooled analysis was carried out to identify stable genotypes through stability analysis in bread wheat under three different environments in 9 parents and their crosses evolved through half diallel analysis. Eberhart and Russell, 1966 method was applied for analysis under different environmental conditions. The pooled analysis of variance for stability for the characters revealed that mean squares due to genotypes, E + (G x E) and linear interaction were highly significant for all the characters indicated that environments were quite variable for the traits and differential response of genotypes to all environmental conditions. The mean squares due to environment (linear) were significant for all characters whereas mean squares due to pooled deviation were significant for all characters except flag leaf area and total protein content in grains which indicated differed considerably genotypes with respect to their stability for the characters. Parents viz., RAJ 4120, GJW 463, DBW 173 and HI 1620, while crosses viz., DBW 173 x HI 1620, RAJ 3777 x JW 3336 were found stable for higher grain yield. Whereas, cross RAJ 3777 x RAJ 4120 for protein content in grains (11.24) and cross HD 2967 x DBW 173 for proline content (16.53) were observed most promising with respect to per se performance and stability. It was concluded that parents viz., RAJ 4120, GJW 463, DBW 173 and HI 1620 and crosses viz., RAJ 3777 x RAJ 4120, HD 2967 x DBW 173, DBW 173 x HI 1620 and RAJ 3777 x JW 3336 were observed as stable genotypes for grain yield and heat tolerance parameters over the environments with respect to per se performance and stability. Therefore, these genotypes and crosses could be utilized in breeding programme to improve grain yield and quality traits in bread wheat as well as may be used as stable breeding material for commercial cultivation.