Genotypic Variation in Late-Set Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L.) Yield Stability

Abstract

In order to address the demands of farmers throughout the nation, a new pigeon pea breeding program has just been launched in Ethiopia. The program is actively working to improve the genetic yield potential by introducing new genotypes. The goal of this research was to assess the stability and performance of six late set pigeon pea genotypes, including the standard check, in terms of yield, as genotype performance is dependent on crop genetic potential and growing conditions. During the primary growing seasons of 2021, five sites in western Oromia—Bako, Billo, Gute, Uke, and Chewaka—had their yield performances assessed. There were three replications of the experiment at each site, using a Randomized Complete Block Design. The findings demonstrated that genotype-environment interaction (GEI) had a significant impact on the yield performances of late set pigeon pea genotypes. The effects of GEI on the yield components were substantial. The G + GE sum of squares was partitioned and found to have two significant components, IPCA1 and IPCA2, which contributed 29.72% and 34.86% of the total, respectively. These genotypes were very sensitive to their surroundings, exhibiting adaptation for high performance conditions and providing maximal output when inputs are not constrained. A highly significant mean square was reported for genotypes, genotypes by environment interaction, and environment. The ICEAP 01489 and 01499 genotypes showed good stability and yield performance in all of the tested conditions. Therefore, these two genotypes were chosen as potential candidates to be released the following season in Western Oromia and other regions with comparable agro-ecologies.