Assessment of Adaptability and Seed Yield Stability of Autumn Sown Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Genotypes Using AMMI Analysis

This research was carried out to meet the need for development and introduction of new crops that can adapt to long periods of drought stress under changing climate. For this purpose the adaptability and seed yield stability of 10 autumn sown quinoa genotypes including; Red Carina, Titicaca, Giza1, Q12, Q18, Q21, Q22, Q26, Q29 and Q31 were studied using randomized complete block design with three replications in four location (Ahvaz, Iranshahr, Bushehr and Jiroft) in Iran in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 cropping seasons. Seed of quinoa genotypes were sown in October 2017 and 2018 in Ahvaz and Jiroft, and in November 2017 and 2018 in Iranshahr and Bushehr. Genotypes with Q prefix have been received from Chile, cv. Titicaca from Denmark, cv. Giza1 from Egypt and cv. Red Carina from the Netherlands. Days to germination, days to flowering, days to physiological maturity, plant height, inflorescence length, stem diameter, seed yield, 1000-seed weight and seed saponin content were measured and recorded. Combined analysis of variance showed that effects of year, location and genotypes were significant (P ≤0.01) on all studied traits, except days to germination. Also, genotype × location interaction was significant (P ≤0.01) on all studied traits. Genotype Q12 (2350.2 kg ha-1) and Red Carina (1695 kg ha-1) had the highest and lowest mean seed yield, respectively. Jiroft (3147.5 kg ha-1) and Bushehr (1009 kg ha-1) had the highest and lowest mean seed yield, respectively. The results of AMMI analysis showed that Q18, Q22, TTKK and Q21 genotypes had the highest seed yield stability, respectively. Genotypes Q18 and Q22 had specific adaptation to Ahvaz, Iranshahr and Bushehr, and genotypes Q12, Q29 and Q26 showed specific adaptation to Jiroft. In conclusion, the results of this research showed that all studied quinoa genotypes were suitable for autumn sowing in target areas.