Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is a vital food and fodder crop in Niger, but its productivity is constrained by drought, poor soils, striga and pest pressures. Developing extra-early dual-purpose varieties is essential for strengthening food and feed security in these fragile production zones. This study evaluated the effects of genotype, environment, and their interaction on the stability of grain and fodder yields in 21 cowpea genotypes tested across six environments using an alpha-lattice design with three replications. Stability was assessed through Shukla’s stability variance, the cultivar superiority index, Wricke’s ecovalence, GGE biplot, and the multi-trait genotype–ideotype distance index (MGIDI). Results revealed significant differences among genotypes, environments, and genotype × environment interactions for all traits; environmental effects had the highest mean squares for all traits (p < 0.001). Broad-sense heritability ranged from 0.77 (fodder yield) to 0.88 (days to 50% flowering), and genetic advance as percentage of mean was high for yield traits (GAM = 78.67% for pod yield, 81.80% for grain yield, 99.59% for fodder yield), indicating strong selection potential. Mean grain yield across all genotypes and environments was 1,394.32 kg ha ⁻ ¹, and the coefficient of variation ranged from 26.59% (GY) to 40.63% (FY). Notably, ten extra-early lines—BM22, BP02, BP15, MM142, 65B5080, BP18, BM21, BM13, MM141, and BM12—were identified as combining early maturity with high and stable grain and fodder yields. These lines should be further evaluated across diverse agroecological zones to confirm their adaptability and alignment with farmer preferences, prior to deployment as released varieties or as parents in cowpea improvement programs targeting climate-resilient, dual-purpose productivity in the Sahel.
Background: As global warming accelerates, developing climate-resilient crops is critical for agricultural sustainability. Amid increasing climatic disruptions, fodder cowpea, a drought-adapted legume, remains an essential nutritional security crop for livestock feed. Quantifying its phenotypic stability across heterogeneous environments would be fundamental for any breeding program capable of withstanding such intensifying climatic stresses. Methods: This study evaluated twenty-three fodder cowpea germplasm lines and three popular varieties across three environments differing in temperature, moisture and soil fertility. The focus was on three major traits namely, green fodder yield per plant (GFY), crude fiber content (CFB) and crude protein content (CPR). We analyzed Genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) using two models, Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) for individual trait evaluation and Multi-Trait Stability Index (MTSI) for simultaneous evaluation of all the three traits. Result: Significant GEI observation highlighted the need for environment-specific genotypes. Combined AMMI 1 and AMMI 2 biplot analyses found genotypes such as FD 1067 (G10), K-13-CP42 (G14) and CO (FC) 8 (G24) to be broadly stable performers for GFY, CPR and CFB across environments, while genotypes like GETC 40 (G21), GETC 41 (G22) and GETC 49 (G23) showed specific adaptation. The environments (E1-E3) exhibited distinct discriminative capacities depending on the trait, highlighting the value of multi-environment trials for reliable genotype selection.
M. Thakur, Ezhilarasi Thailappan, Pushpam Ramamoorthy et al.· Legume Research An Internati...· 0 citations
Food barley is a staple crop in the Ethiopian highlands, yet productivity remains low due to the use of low-yielding local varieties. This study evaluated the performance and adaptability of 11 food barley varieties (Abdane, Adoshe, Biftu, Guta, Robera, Cross#41/98, EH-1493, Harbu, HB-1965, HB-1966, and one local check) across six environments (Gurawa, Jarso, and Meta districts over 2019 and 2021 main cropping seasons). The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences (p < 0.01) among varieties, environments, and their interactions for all traits. AMMI analysis indicated that environment explained 62.71% of total variation, genotype 5.74%, and genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) 14.13%. The first two principal components of GEI accounted for 77.37% of the interaction variation. Varieties Abdane (4.81 t ha
-1
) and Robera (4.41 t ha
-1
) recorded the highest grain yields, outperforming the local check by 31.4% and 25.2%, respectively. GGE biplot analysis identified Abdane and Robera as the most stable and high-yielding varieties across environments, while Guta, Harbu, Cross#41/98, and the local check were unstable. Therefore, Abdane and Robera are recommended for further demonstration and production in East Hararghe highlands and similar agro-ecologies.
Zeleke Legesse, Jifara Gudeta, Fikadu Tadesse et al.· American Journal of Bioscien...· 0 citations
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a critical staple cereal in semi-arid tropics, yet its productivity is highly constrained by genotype × environment interaction (GEI), which complicates variety selection and recommendation. This study aimed to estimate the magnitude of GEI, evaluate grain yield performance, and identify stable, high-yielding and early-maturing sorghum genotypes for potential release in East Hararghe, Ethiopia. Fourteen sorghum genotypes alongside two standard checks (Fadis 01 and Melkam) were tested across six environments, combining two locations (Fadis and Erer) over three consecutive main cropping seasons (2022–2024) using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on grain yield and agronomic traits were subjected to combined analysis of variance, Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis, and Genotype Main Effect plus GEI (GGE) biplot analysis. Combined ANOVA revealed highly significant (P < 0.001) effects for genotype, environment, and GEI, confirming differential genotypic responses across testing environments. AMMI analysis partitioned the total grain yield variation, attributing 18.54% to genotype, 25.15% to environment, and 28.86% to GEI, indicating that environmental factors and their interaction with genotypes were the dominant sources of variation. The first two interaction principal component axes (IPCA1 and IPCA2) jointly explained 75.56% of the GEI variation, with IPCA1 contributing 52.6% and IPCA2 contributing 22.96%. Genotype G6 (ETSC14576-5-1) recorded the highest mean grain yield (4265 kg ha⁻¹) and demonstrated exceptional stability across environments, as evidenced by its proximity to the IPCA zero line in the AMMI1 biplot, favorable AMMI stability value, and low genotype selection index. GGE biplot analysis further ranked G6 closest to the ideal genotype, confirming its superior mean performance and stability. Polygon view identified three mega-environments, with G6 emerging as the winning genotype in one of them. Based on the integrated assessment using mean yield, AMMI parameters, and GGE biplot outputs, genotype ETSC14576-5-1 (G6) is identified as the most stable and high-yielding genotype across the tested environments. Therefore, this genotype is recommended for variety verification and subsequent release for cultivation in East Hararghe and similar agro-ecologies.
Zeleke Legesse, Fikadu Tadesse, Berhanu Diribsa et al.· American Journal of Bioscien...· 0 citations
Fenugreek (
Trigonella foenum-graecum
L.) is a multi-purpose spice and medicinal crop with substantial nutritional, pharmaceutical, and industrial significance. Despite its potential, varietal adaptability remains poorly documented in diverse agro-ecologies of Southwestern Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted during the 2023-2024 main cropping season in the Buno Bedele Zone to identify adaptable and high-yielding fenugreek varieties. Five improved varieties were evaluated using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications across representative environments. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the main effects of variety and environment significantly (P < 0.01) influenced phenological parameters, growth traits, and yield components. However, the variety-by-environment interaction was non-significant for all traits, indicating that the varieties exhibited a consistent performance across the study environments. The highest mean seed yield (1.43 t ha
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1
) was recorded from the Ebissa variety, which was statistically superior to other varieties, followed by Burka (1.20 t ha
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1
). In contrast, the lowest yield (0.79 t ha
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1
) was observed in the Hundaol variety. Based on their superior biological performance and consistent yield across environments, Ebissa and Burka are recommended for large-scale on-farm demonstration and subsequent promotion to smallholder farmers in the Buno Bedele Zone and similar agro-ecologies.
Limited genetic variability remains a major constraint to genetic improvement in guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) restricting both its productivity and cultivation in Pakistan. As a drought adapted legume with significant value as fodder, green manure, and a soil-enhancing nitrogen fixer, guar holds considerable untapped potential for sustainable agriculture. Enhancing its genetic base is therefore essential for developing high-yielding, nutritionally superior varieties suited to arid and semi-arid environments. To address this need, a field experiment was conducted in October 2022 at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications to assess genetic variability and trait associations among 24 guar genotypes. Five plants per genotype were evaluated for agronomic traits (plant height, branches, tillers, leaves, leaf area, clusters plant⁻¹, pods cluster⁻¹, pods plant⁻¹, fresh and dry biomass) and forage quality attributes (crude protein, crude fiber, ash, moisture, NDF, and ADF), with quality traits quantified via Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS). Significant phenotypic variability was recorded among genotypes. Plant height ranged from 78–141.2 cm, branches 2.16–10.06, leaves 44.87–330.33, fresh biomass 200–700 g, dry biomass 70–244 g, and crude protein 15.16–23.37%. Plant height showed strong positive correlations with fresh biomass, leaf area, and crude protein, whereas branches and clusters exhibited negative associations. Tillers were positively correlated with several yield components but not with leaf area or protein. Crude protein was positively associated with NDF, ash, and crude fiber. Superior genotypes identified included Guar-401 (plant height), Guar-303 and Guar-701 (number of branches), Guar-102 and Guar-701 (number of leaves), and Guar-103 and Guar-803 (protein). These high performing genotypes provide valuable genetic resources for developing improved guar cultivars with enhanced fodder yield and nutritional quality.
Muaeen Khan, Muhammad Usman, Muhammad Tariq Mahmood et al.· Journal of Pharma and Biomed...· 0 citations
This study evaluated the agronomic performance and biochemical composition of five cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) varieties: Drum, Botoro, Oloyin, Ife-Brown, and IT04K-332-1. Cultivated under field conditions using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, all varieties received uniform management practices. Data were collected on key agronomic parameters, including seed yield, 100-seed weight, pod length, branching, and pod count per plant. Subsequent proximate analysis determined moisture, dry matter, crude fat, ash, crude fibre, and crude protein content. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed across all agronomic and biochemical traits among the varieties. The improved variety IT04K-332-1 produced the highest seed yield (272.00 g/plot), whereas Botoro recorded the lowest yield (9.50 g/plot). Conversely, Botoro exhibited the highest crude protein content, while IT04K-332-1 had the lowest. A positive correlation was found among crude protein, dry matter, branching, and 100-seed weight, but crude protein was negatively correlated with overall seed yield. This inverse relationship indicates a distinct trade-off between nutritional quality and grain production. Consequently, IT04K-332-1 is recommended for commercial farmers seeking maximum grain yield, while Botoro is recommended for targeted high-protein nutritional applications.
Victoria Odutayo· FUDMA Journal of Sciences· 0 citations
