ADAPTATION AND YIELD STABILITY OF SELECTED LINES OF LATHYRUS SPP UNDER RAIN-FED CONDITIONS IN WEST ASIA

Sixteen promising lines (selections) of Lathyrus spp. (chicklings), co mprising 11 L. sativus, four L. ochrus, and one L. cicera, were evalua ted under rainfed conditions in Syria. Two locations in each of four y ears were treated as separate environments, to give eight environments altogether. Genotype x environment (G x E) interactions were analysed using linear regression. There was considerable variation in herbage and seed yields within both lines and environments. Genotype x environ ment interactions were present for both herbage and seed yields; a lit tle over half was accounted for by the linear regression. The non-line ar component was also significant, although it was smaller than that o f the linear component. The most stable herbage and seed yields were o btained from L. sativus. Two selections, 347 and 311, originating from Syria and Turkey respectively, combined both high herbage and seed yi elds with wide adaptation and stability, and could be considered the m ost widely adapted lines. Other lines were identified as suitable for favourable and unfavourable environments; in particular, all four line s of L. ochrus have great potential in frost-free climates. The import ance of genotype x environment interactions in future breeding strateg ies is discussed.