Assessment of Seed Yield Stability of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes Using Parametric and Non-Parametric Statistical Methods

Sixteen chickpea genotypes and two commercial cultivars; Adel and Azad as check were evaluated under rainfed conditions using randomized complete block design with three replications at four filed stations; Gachsaran, Gonbad, Khorramabad and Ilam for three cropping seasons (2016-2019). Genotypes 5, 12, 11, 17 and 4 had the highest seed yield. Genotypes 18, 16, 6, and 3 had high seed yield stability based on Shukla variance (2i ), Wrick's equvalence (Wi), root mean square error (RMSE), Si1 and Si2 statistics. Genotypes 16 and 18 with regression coefficient close to one, seed yield higher than average yield and the lowest deviation from regression line were the superior genotypes. Analysis of variance using Eberhart and Russell method showed a significant genotype × environment interaction effect (linear) which indicated different response of genotypes to environmental conditions. Genotypes 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16 and 18 were the best genotypes based on yield-stability index (YSi). Based on TOP nonparametric statistics, genotypes 5, 12, 15, 9 and 4 were superior genotypes. Based on Lin and Binns priority index, genotypes 12, 5, 11, 17 and 18 were desirable genotypes in all environments. In conclusion, genotypes 4, 5 and 12 can be considered as high yielding with yield stability and suitable for further verification in research and development projects.