Genotype x Environment Interaction and Agronomic Performances Analysis in Exotic Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp) Cultivars in Benin

Abstract

In Benin, pigeon pea is largely consumed by rural and urban people. Despite its multiple uses, its cultivation is neglected due to the lack of improved varieties. For enhancing pigeon pea production in Benin, some exotic cultivars were introduced in the country. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the agronomic performances and genotype x environment interaction (GEI) of these cultivars. Two trials were conducted in two different environments during the rainy season of 2019-2020. The plant material was composed of 14 cultivars and planted in a randomized complete block design with two replications. Data were recorded on eleven agro-morphological traits and analyzed by using descriptive statistics as well analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI). For the stability analysis of agronomic traits, Wricke's ecovalence, Shukla's variance and genotypic superiority indexes were calculated. The results revealed that the collection was characterized by short maturity cycle cultivars with flowering date around 90 days. They were very productive genotypes. Grain yield varied from 78.5 to 1476.3 kg/ha. ANOVA based on combined data and AMMI analysis revealed highly significant effect of GEI for all 11 traits. However, some traits presented high value for heritability (H2 > 0.5). Based on three stability indexes, the cultivars ICP7184, ICP6907, MN5 and ICP84023 are the most stable cultivars for grain yield and flowering date. These cultivars could be proposed to growers for cultivation and also used as parental lines in pigeon pea breeding programs.