Analysis of stability for nut yield and ancillary traits in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)

Cashew is cultivated in varied agro-ecological regions of India and yield levels vary with regions. Therefore, to identify stable genotype for yield, 18 genotypes were tested in four environments for nut yield and ancillary traits during 2008 to 2018 in randomized block design with two replications. The data of 6th annual harvest and cumulative nut yield of six years was analyzed employing additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and genotype and genotype by environment (GGE) methods. Analysis of variance for 6th annual harvest indicated significant differences (p < 0.01) for eight traits. Environments varied significantly (p < 0.01) for seven traits. Genotype by environment (G × E) interactions were significant (p < 0.01) for all traits. Analysis of variance for cumulative yield revealed significant variations between genotypes, environments, G x E interactions. Interaction principal component analysis (IPCA) 1 (84.39%) and IPCA 2 (10.27%) together captured 95% of variability. Genotypes, environments and G × E interaction were accounted for 16.18%, 4.50% and 77.22% respectively of total variation. The environment Pilicode discriminated better while Vridhachalam was representative. BPP-8 and Vengulra-7 were the winning genotypes in Bhubaneswar while Kanaka and Priyanka in Pilicode, Vengurla-4 in Jhargram and UN-50 in Vridhachalam. Therefore, promoting cultivation of these winning genotypes in the corresponding environments is highly recommended to enhance cashew nut production. As per ASV (AMMI stability value,) K-22-1 was stable genotype followed by Bhubaneswar-1. As per YSI (yield stability index), Bhubaneswar-1 was stable and high yielding followed by K-22-1 and BPP-8. Thus stable genotypes identified in this study viz., K-22-1 and Bhuvaneswar-1 are recommended for cultivation in west and east regions of India which have most cashew growing areas for increasing the cashew nut production.