Stability Assessment of Yield & Yield Components and Micronutrient (Fe and Zn) Traits in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.])

Abstract

Multi-environment testing remains central to identifying pearl millet genotypes that perform predictably under climatic variability. We evaluated 83 entries—60 F1 hybrids, 19 parental lines and four checks (PA9385, 9444, 86M20 and 86M22)—during Summer 2024 at Deesa, Palanpur and Tharad (Gujarat) using a Randomized block design with three replications for twelve agronomic and nutritional traits. Pooled ANOVA revealed significant environment effects and genotype × environment interactions (G × E) for key traits including plant height, panicle length, 1000-grain weight, zinc content, fodder yield and grain yield per plant, justifying stability analysis. Environmental indices indicated Palanpur as an overall favourable site; Deesa supported taller plants, higher harvest index and elevated Fe/Zn; Tharad predominantly favoured earliness. Stability was analyzed following Eberhart & Russell (1966), interpreting bi relative to unity and S²di as predictability. The study revealed substantial genetic variability among parents and hybrids for yield and micronutrient traits across environments. Overall, PMPF-4 × PMPR-13 was identified as the best-performing hybrid for grain yield, whereas PMPF-1 × PMPR-1 for iron and PMPF-1 × PMPR-15 / PMPF-3 × PMPR-5 for zinc content showed stable and desirable performance across environments, making them promising genotypes for both productivity and micronutrient improvement.