African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (3), pp. 249-253, 2 February 2006   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2006 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Yield stability analysis of pearl millet hybrids in Nigeria

Y. Yahaya¹*, C.A. Echekwu² and S.G. Mohammed²

¹Lake Chad Research Institute, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

²Department of Plant Science, Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

^*Corresponding author. E-mail: ykbyahaya@yahoo.com

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Accepted 11 August, 2005

Genotype x environment interaction in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] was studied for grain yield by growing 90 genotypes consisting of 81 hybrids and 9 inbred parents at 5 locations for 2 years. Genotype x environment interaction was observed, a large component of which was accounted for by non-linear regression on the environment means. Although the linear portion was significant, its magnitude was smaller than that of the non-linear component indicating the significance of environmental effects on the genotypes. Six hybrids were found to be stable across the environments. They yielded above the average mean yield of all the genotypes under test, with a slope of unity and the mean square due to deviation from regression equal to zero.

Key words: Genotype x environment interaction, yield, stability, pearl millet.