Abstract

There was a significant variation in respect of genotype x environmental interactions for seed yield in safflower. A large portion of these interactions was accounted for by the linear regression on the environmental means, although non-linear component was also significant. The crop, in general, gave better performance when grown in closer row spacings of 30 cm under favourable moisture growing conditions. However, under moisture stress conditions, no marked yield response was observed to the different row spacings. Genotypes like C 438 and AN 1 were found to be stable with high mean yield and average responses to the changes in the environmental conditions. Hence their exploitation in a breeding programme will help in improving the productivity of the crop.

Keywords: Safflower, Stability, Genotype x Environment interaction