Breeding for Yield Stability for Sustainable Production of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Nigeria

Abstract

Stability analysis is a major constraint to the identification and deployment of wheat genotypes with consistently high performance across contrasting production environments. This study evaluated the yield performance and stability of 67 wheat genotypes comprising 15 parental lines, three testers, four checks and 45 F₁ hybrids across three locations in Nigeria. The genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications, and stability was assessed using the Eberhart and Russell model based on genotype mean performance, regression coefficient (bᵢ) and deviation from regression (S²dᵢ). The evaluated traits included biomass yield, harvest index, grain yield per plant, and grain weight per spike, 1000-grain weight, spike length, number of grains per spike, chlorophyll content, and number of productive tillers, grain-filling period and number of spikelets per spike. Marked genotypic differences in mean performance and stability parameters were observed across traits. For grain yield per plant, DH-3086 × PBW-343 and DBW-222 × PBW ZN1 combined relatively high mean performance with comparatively favorable stability parameters. DBW-173 and PBW ZN1 showed comparatively low environmental responsiveness and relatively good stability, although their mean grain yields were moderate. For chlorophyll content, several hybrids, particularly HD-3721 × PBW-343 and PBW-550 × PBW-343, showed high mean performance with comparatively favorable stability. Overall, no single genotype was consistently superior and stable for all evaluated traits, emphasizing the importance of trait-specific selection and multi-environment testing in wheat breeding for Nigeria. The identified high-performing and comparatively stable genotypes provide useful breeding material for developing wheat cultivars with improved adaptability and yield stability.