GENOTYPE X ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION AND STABILITY ANALYSIS FOR GRAIN YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS STUDIES IN DRY SEASON RICE

Twelve high yielding varieties were evaluated for their adaptive advantage under direct seeded wetland condition for yield and its consistency. Varieties interacted with time of seeding for duration, yield and its components, disease and pest reaction as well as for milling recovery. Long duration varieties got delayed due to cold stress in November and December seeding. It was minimum in case of Vandana (14 days) and maximum in Saket 4 (34 days) due to effect of cold. Medium late variety Pusa 44 registered the highest yield (about 10 t /ha). when seeded in mid- November. Its sturdy and non-lodging plant type may suit-mechanization. IR 64, Naveen and Lalat, which are very popular in born areas, performed equally well under mid- December seeding. The variety vandana may be promising for Early Ahu areas of Assam or in the areas where rice is taken after mustard or potato as a direct seeded crop. Desirable grain type and tolerance to blast of Khitish under mid-February seeding has made it popular in the late boro areas of West Bengal. Varieties varied greatly in milling recovery - it was the highest when sown in between mid- November to mid- December, except in Saket 4 and lowest in mid- January seeding and onwards, indicating grain-filling aspect for consideration as affected by weather conditions due to different times of seeding.