GRAIN YIELD RESPONSE OF SOME BREAD WHEAT CULTIVARS IN DIVERSE ENVIRONMENTS OF ETHIOPIA

摘要

The wheat growing zones of Ethiopia are characterized by varied stress and non-stress conditions. This necessitates the development of bread wheat varieties adapted to the various wheat growing regions of the country. Eight genetically diverse and agronomically promising advanced lines were compared with a widely adaptable standard check, Enkoy, for grain yield response across 8 locations in southeastern and central wheat growing zones in replicated yield trials carried out for three consecutive years (1990 to 1992). Combined analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes and environments with considerable G x E interaction for some of the test lines. Stability and regression analysis identified cultivars that have either wide or specific adaptation. Cultivar HAR 1349 showed below average stability, while HAR 1331, HAR 1522, HAR 1595, HAR 1696, HAR 1709, and HAR 1407 showed average or above average stability in comparison to Enkoy. The top yielding cultivar (HAR 1685) showed general stability across varying environments.