PHENOTYPIC STABILITY OF YIELD AND RELATED CHARACTERS IN DESI GRAM (CICER-ARIETINUM)

A set of 22 advanced lines and 3 control varieties of gram or chickpea(Cicer arielinum L.) was evaluated in 4 environments during 1988-89 and 1989-90, to determine the stability for seed yield along with days to 50% flowering and to maturity, and 100-seed weight Significant differences were observed among genotypes and environments along with significant genotype X environment (G x E) interaction for means of these characters. Stability analysis showed that both linear and non-Linear components significantly contributed towards Ox E interaction for days to 50% flowering, whereas non-linear component predominantly contributed toward seed yield. days to maturity and 100-seed weight. 'K 850' and 'ICCV 89360' were found the most stable genotypes with high yield performance (1985 and 1850 kg/ha respectively). Absence of correlation between seed yield and the sensitivity of genotypes to different environments indicated the possibility of selection for high yield without compromising on its stability.