GENOTYPE X ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION IN THE FIELD PERFORMANCE OF STEM AMARANTH (Amaranthus tricolor L.)

Abstract

A research was carried out to find genotype x environment interaction effects on the field performance of 20 germplasm of Stem amaranth at Genetics Farm, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during the period from November, 2013 to May 2014. The experiment was laid out in the Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data were recorded on plant height (cm), no. of leaves per plant, leaf length (cm), leaf breadth (cm), individual stem diameter (mm), individual leaf weight (gm), individual stem weight (gm), marketable stem weight (gm), days to first flowering, no. of seed per plant, yield (Kg/ha) at three environments. G-18 was the tallest with non significant S2di value (10.5) and G-9 was the shortest (2.22). G-20 produced most number of leaves with non significant S2di value (2.59) and G-01 was the least (11.56**). G-02 produced the lengthiest leaf with significant S2di value (16.09**) and G-09 was the shortest (0.09). G-01 produced the lengthiest leaf breadth with non significant S2di value (0.38) and G-15 was the shortest (0.46). G-01 showed the thickest stem diameter with non significant S2di value (1.63) and G-09 was the least (0.19). G-01 was the highest individual leaf weight with significant S2di value (46.08**) and G-15 was the least (2.84). G-01 was the highest individual stem weight with non significant S2di value (15.13) and G-09 was the least (48.09). G-01 produced the highest marketable stem weight with non significant S2di value (451.59) and G-09 was the least (39.77). G-03 was the earliest first flowering and with non significant S2di value (8.71) and G-09 was the latest (1.06). G-07 produced the highest number of seed per plant with significant S2di value (11773806.62**) and G-05 was the least (260802.7). G-01 was the highest yield producing with non significant S2di value (7821.539) and G-09 was the least (688.8164). Based on stable responses considering the higher yield characterG-08 and G-18, for higher individual leaf weight G-07 and G-11, for higher individual stem weight G-18, for lesser dry weight of stem G-14 and G-18 and for early days to first flowering G-03 and G-16 genotypes could be selected for effective use in breeding program.