GRAIN YIELD STABILITY OF NEWLY EVOLVED DESI CHICKPEA STRAINS UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS

Chickpea production in Pakistan is largely dependent upon rainfall in "Thal" region of Punjab province comprising sand dunes and marginal lands, being the major area of its cultivation, where drought affects are severe on plant growth. The current study was conducted to assess grain yield stability of new chickpea genotypes under rainfed conditions across seven environments. All the experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications. Pooled analysis of variance revealed significant distinctions among genotypes and environments where the experiments were conducted. Significant linear and non-linear components of GxE interactions further indicated the presence of predictable and un-predictable elements. Various stability procedures suggested that genotypes D-10008 and D-10002 possessing above average grain yield (1333 kg ha(-1) and 1280 kg ha(-1)) coupled with reasonable estimates of regression coefficients (1.04 and 1.02), standard deviations (0.061 and 0.063), ecovalence (88.5 and 89.3), coefficient of determination (98.3% and 98.2%), and coefficient of variation (58.0% and 59.2%) were consistent in grain yield across different environments. Other genotypes like Punjab-2008, D-10039, D-10016 and Bhakkar-2011 also yielded greater than average, however, exhibited specific adaptations to particular environments therefore could be recommended for cultivation in specific regions for improving chickpea production in Pakistan.