Genotype x Environment Interaction and Stability Analysis for Yield and its Components in Selected Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) Genotypes in Southern Tanzania

The present investigation was carried out to study stability performance over three environments for root yield and its components in twelve genetically diverse genotypes of cassava using a Randomized Complete Block Design. The partitioning of (environment + genotype x environment) mean squares showed that environments (linear) differed significantly and were quite diverse with regards to their effects on the performance of genotypes for root yield and majority of yield components. Stable genotypes were identified for wider environments and specific environments with high per se performance (over general mean) for root yield per plant. The investigation revealed that the genotypes Kiroba (21.72 t ha-1) and NDL 2006/487 (19.5 t ha-1) were desirable and relatively stable across the environments. Other genotypes NDL 2006/850 was suitable for favourable situations, while genotypes NDL 2006/104 and NDL 2006/283 were suited to poor environments for root yield. Keywords: G X E Interaction, Stability Analysis, Cassava, Root Yield, Yield Component