Genotype X Environment Interaction and Yield Stability in Early-Maturing Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) Landraces in Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to estimate the effects of genotype, environment, and genotype × environment interaction on grain yield and yield-related traits and to identify stability genotype. At six environments, twenty-four cowpea landraces and one check were evaluated in a 5 × 5 triple lattice during the 2019 cropping season. Data were collected on yield and yield-related traits. The analysis of variance for each environment and across environments showed significant differences among genotypes, environments, and GEI for most traits including yield. Environment, genotype, and GEI showed 27.45%, 20.9%, and 49.55% contribution to the total sum of squares, respectively, for grain yield. This indicated that the environments were diverse and most of the variation in grain yield was caused due to interaction and environmental means. G24 (2632 kg ha−1) and G16 (2290 kg ha−1) were the highest yielder and stable genotypes with mean grain yields above the grand mean (2049.28 kg ha−1) and standard check (2273 kg ha−1). G24 and G16 were the most stable genotypes according to cultivar superiority, Wricke’s ecovalence, regression coefficient, and devotion from regression stability models.