Non- Parametric Estimation of Phenotypic Stability in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

In order to determine phenotypic stability and contribution of yield components in the phenotypic stability of grain yield 21 genotypes of chickpea(Cicer arietinum L.) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications under rainfed and irrigated conditions in college of Agriculture, Razi University of Kermanshah, Iran, across 4 years. Distance between rows, distance between shrub in row and sowing depth were 50,10 and 5 cm respectively. Non- parametric combined analysis of variance showed high significant differences for genotypes and genotype-environment interaction indicating the presence of genetic variation and possibility of selection for stable genotypes. In the non-adjusted data, null hypothesis was rejected (in the 5% probability) that indicate different compatibility of genotypes in rainfed and irrigated conditions ) (. The genotype number 8 (Filip92- 9c) with minimum and was considered as the most stable genotype in irrigated and rainfed conditions and genotypes 10, 12, 14, 17 and 19 were less stable respectively. Grain yield stability showed the high correlation with number of pod per shrub and grain weight. Simultaneous evaluation of yield stability and grain yield in one parameter also revealed that genotype Fillip92- 9c was the most desirable variety for both yield and yield stability. Component analysis of phenotypic stability using Ci- value defined maximum grain weight and number of grain per shrub and minimum number of shrub per unit area and number of pod per shrub. Thus yield instability is almost originated from grain weight and number of grain per shrub. Also component analysis of phenotypic stability using Ci- value displayed that number of shrub per unit area has the most contribution on the grain yield phenotypic stability. Totally, we can conclude that improvement of phenotypic stability should be performed on the basis of selection for number of shrub per unit area and then for number of pod per shrub. Key words: Chickpea; Non-parametric methods; Phenotypic stability; Component analysis