Stability parameters in rabi sorghum

Stability analysis indicated that the linear component was high for leaf area per plant and dry stover yield per plant indicating that linear component contributed more towards the genotype x environment interactions, while high value of non-linear components was observed in days to maturity and plant height. In case of days to 50 per cent flowering and leaves per plant both linear and non-linear components was almost equal indicating importance of both linear and non-linear components in determining genotype x environment interactions for these attributes. For days to 50% flowering, eight male parents, 31 hybrids and check CSH 15R showed average stability over environments, whereas the female parent 104A showed above average stability and suitability to poor environments. Five male parents, 17 hybrids and check CSH 15R recorded low mean, non-significant regression coefficient and non-significant S2di values that showed average stability over environments for days to maturity. As regards to plant height 6 males and 25 hybrids were found stable and four hybrids were found above average stable and suitable for poor environments whereas, one hybrid 9168A x RSV 1006 was found below average stable for this trait. For number of leaves per plant 8 male parents and 33 hybrids showed average stability over environments and two hybrids 9168A x RSV 1006 and 9168A x SPV 1546 exhibited below average stability and suitability to favourable environments. Male SPV 1546, check BP 53 and 10 hybrids showed average stability over environments whereas the hybrid 1543A x SPV 1359 showed below average stability and suitability to favourable environments and the hybrid 1343A x RSSGV 43 exhibited above average stability and suitability for unfavourable environments for leaf area per plant. For dry stover yield per plant, ten male parents and 22 hybrids were considered stable for this trait. The hybrid 9168A x RSV 1006 showed below average stability which was suitable for rich environments. From the stability analysis, it can be concluded that none of genotype was found to be ideal with wider adaptability for all the characters, hence the parents and hybrids showing average stability for different characters could be considered for future breeding programme for genetic improvement of rabi sorghum.