STABILITY ANALYSIS FOR SEED YIELD IN VETCH CULTIVARS

Abstract

During the period 2012 -2014 was conducted a field trial with seven vetch cultivars: six Moldavian cultivars Liya, Lorina, Vilena, Moldovskaya (belonging to Vicia sativa L.), Violeta and Viola (belonging to Vicia villosa Roth.) and one Bulgarian cultivar Obrazets 666 (belonging to Vicia sativa L.). The performance, adaptability and stability of the tested cultivars were determined in relation to plant height (cm), stem (mm) and length (cm) of the pod, number seeds and pods per plant, number seeds per pod, 1000 seed weight (g), seed weight per plant (g) and seed yield (kg da-1). Traits such as plant height, pods per plant, seeds per plant, 1000 seed weight and seed yield showed a significant genotype × environment interaction which shows the participation of different gene systems in their control. In regard of these traits were calculated parameters of phenotypic stability and selection-valuable genotypes were determined. The cultivar Moldovskaya could be considered close to the ideal type (bi ≈ 1.0), suitable for growing over a wide range of environment. Liya and Obrazets 666 were determined as unstable (bi > 1) but with good responsiveness, providing them high yields at moderate environmental conditions. Cultivars Liya and Obrazets 666 could be defined as stable and with good responsiveness (bi = 1.07 - 1.11), but because of lower yields they do not have priority over others. From viewpoint of selection, cultivars Moldovskaya, Liya and Obrazets 666 are suitable for including in breeding programmes and developing new vetch lines with high and stable yields