Study on Stability of Elite Barley(Hordeum vulgare L.) Genotypes for Cold Regions of Iran Using AMMI Method

Performance of a given genotype might vary from one location to another one, which is called genotype×environment (G×E) interaction. The study of G×E interaction and identification of stable and high performance varieties is important for breeders. In the present study, stability and adaptability of 20 barley genotypes was studied in uniformity trials using randomized complete block design with three replications at 8 cold regions during two consecutive cropping seasons (2005 and 2006). Results of AMMI analysis showed that the genotype and environment main effects, G×E interaction and four principal components of interaction effect were significant at 1% probability level. First and second principal components were used to draw biplot curve. Cluster analysis grouped the studied genotypes into three groupes. Overall, the promising line No. 17(MAKOUEE//ZARJOW/80-5151) was recognized as the best genotype examined in terms of being a high yielding and stable genotype. Therefore, this genotype was recommended for on-farm trials and release. It was concluded that although breeding stable and adaptable cultivars for such a vast climatic zone is difficult, it is possible to seek for the best fitted genotypes to both narrow and wide adaptations using the information extracted from the stability analyses performed.