Evaluation of adaptation and grain yield stability of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) genotypes in temperate agro-climate zone of Iran

Identification of adapted genotypes with high grain yield is the most important goal in durum wheat breeding programs. To study adaptation and grain yield stability of durum wheat genotypes, 18 durum wheat promising lines with two commercial durum and bread wheat cultivars were used. The durum wheat genotypes were evaluated in four locations; Isfahan, Karaj, Kermanshah and Neishabour in temperate agro-climate zone of Iran in 2013-14 and 2014-15 cropping cycles. The experiments were conducted using ranodomized complete block design with three replications. Combined analyses of variance were performed for grain yield. The genotype and genotype × year × location effects were significant. Therefore, for more precise evaluation of genotype by environment interactions and grain yield stability, parametric and non-parametric analysis methods such as AMMI, rank and standadard deveiation (SD) of rank, coefficient of environmental variation was employed. Results of all three stability analysis methods showed that genotypes no. 3 and no. 4 with high grain yield (8650 and 8699 kg.ha-1, respectively) and low G × E interaction were adapted with grain yield stability durum wheat genotypes. These superior durum wheat genotypes were identified for being released as new commercial durum wheat cultivars for temperate agro-climatic zone of Iran.