Stability analysis in groundnut for pod yield and its component traits.

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is the most important oilseed crop of tropical, sub-tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. It is an annual legume crop, grown mainly for quality edible oil (40-50%) and easily digestible protein (25%) in its seeds. India ranks second in the world regarding groundnut production, but still the country is in deficit in productivity as compared to the world average. The low yield levels are attributed to the cultivation of crop on marginal and sub-marginal lands under rainfed conditions, low input use, lack of plant protections and use of low yielding varieties. Under such situations and in the fluctuating environments, adaptability of varieties becomes far more important. Also yield is polygenically controlled complex character and is determined by a number of yield components, since greatly affected by environmental factors. Thus, ultimately needs to develop stable genotypes. Thereforem an attempt has been made in the present study to evaluate different groundnut genotypes across the locations to know the role of G X E interactions and also to analyze the stability of genotypes for different traits.