Yield stability in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes

An experiment was undertaken to determine the stability of seed yield in 21 common bean genotypes representing three growth habits. Seven genotypes in each growth habit (determinate bush, indeterminate bush and indeterminate prostrate) were evaluated in replicated trials at three locations for three years under rain fed conditions in Ethiopia. A combined analysis of variance, stability statistics and rank correlations among stability statistics and yield-stability statistic were determined. The genotypes differed significantly for seed yield and genotype × environment (year by location) interaction (GE). The different stability statistics namely Type1, Type 2 and Type 3 measured the different aspects of stability. This was substantiated by rank correlation coefficient. There were strong rank correlations among Si2d, Wi2,σi2 and Si2, where as there was weak correlation between biand Ri2, Si2d, Wi2, σi2 and Si2. R2 was significantly and negatively correlated with Wi2, σi2 and Si2. σi2 is significantly correlated with Wi2.Yield is significantly correlated with bi and Ri2.None of the statistics per se was useful for selecting high yielding and stable genotypes except the YS(yield-stability statistic). Most of the high yielding genotypes were relatively stable. Of the 21 genotypes, only 11genotypes were selected for their high yielding and stable performance. Genotypes with growth habit III and I (in determinate prostrate and determinate bush) were generally more stable than in determinate bush.