Abstract: This study was conducted to determine performance of
elite spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding lines developed
by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico,
examine genotypexenvironment (GE) interaction and identify superior wheat
genotypes across diverse environments in Afghanistan. Forty nine breeding
lines and one local check cultivar were tested across 7, 6 and 6 sites
in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Grain yield, days to heading, plant
height and agronomic scores were analyzed. Stability and genotype superiority
for grain yield was determined using regression and genotype and genotypexenvironment
(GGE) biplot analyses. The experimental genotypes showed high levels (4.5
to 5.7 t ha-1) of grain yield in each year. There were significant
GE interactions for grain yield in each year. There were experimental
genotypes in each year that produced significantly higher grain yield
than the check. Regression analysis showed that stability parameters were
significant and differed among genotypes, however, couldn`t explicitly
identify the most superior lines in relative term. GGE-biplot analysis
showed that among highest yielding lines, Chum18/7*Bcn, CS/Th.sc.//3*Pvn/3/Mirlo/Buc/4/Milan/5/Tilh,
Croc_1/Ae.sq.(224)//Opata/3/Kauz*2/ Bow// Kauz/4/NL683, PBW343//Car422/Ana
and Milan/Otus//Attila/3*Bcn were the five most superior genotypes for
grain yield. These genotypes also had acceptable to superior agronomic
traits. The findings of this study provide additional information on stability
of the internationally important wheat genotypes tested across diverse
environments in Afghanistan. These genotypes are also adapted to other
developing countries; hence this information could be useful for international
and national wheat improvement programs. |