Evaluation of Yield Stability of Sunflower Inbred Lines under Salt Stress Conditions

The genotype by environment interaction is a major challenge in the study of quantitative characters because it complicates the interpretation of genetic experiments and do predictions difficult, also it reduces grain seed yield stability in different environments. In order to determine the yield stability, adaptability and analysis of the genotype × environment interaction of oily sunflower inbred lines under normal and salt stress conditions, 100 genotypes coming from different geographical regions were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with three replications for two successive years (2006 to 2007). In stability analysis using statistics such as environmental variance and coefficient of variation, lines 71 and 33 showed minimum variations compared to other lines. Based on Eberhart and Russell regression method, lines 71, 45, 40 and 25 was the most stable genotypes. AMMI statistics revealed lines with code numbers of 71, 77, 93 and 51 as the most stable genotypes. Biplot technique was used to identify the appropriate genotypes for special environments. Based on this method, lines 71, 61 and 17 showed the lowest interaction and considered as the most stable genotypes. However, line 71 showed highest seed yield compared two other lines. The line with code number of 50 showed special stability and high yield under normal conditions whereas lines 90, 48 showed special stability and high yield under salt stress conditions. In conclusion, based on different stability analysis statistics and AMMI analysis the line 71 are introduced as most stable line under normal and salt stress conditions.