Adaptability and stability of popcorn cultivars in the central-south of Brazil

The purpose of this work was to study the adaptability and stability of pop corn cultivars evaluated by Embrapa-Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Milho e Sorgo in the year 1991/92. Fifteen cultivars were evaluated for yield, in 1 9 environments, and for popping expansion, in 15 environments, at the centr al-south of Brazil. The cultivars GO 100P, MF 1001, Pirapoca-Amarela, Pirap oca-Branca and Colorado Pop 1 were more promising, showing higher grain yie ld average (1,700 to 2,100 kg/ha) and reasonable popping expansion (17 to 2 1 mL/mL). In relation to yield, Pirapoca-Amarela and Colorado Pop 1 cultiva rs were more adapted to favorable environments, and were stable. The MF 100 1, Pirapoca-Branca and GO 100P showed to be responsive to the environmental stimulus, and were stable. In relation to popping expansion, all the culti vars were stable, and MF 1001, Colorado Pop 1, Pirapoca-Amarela e Pirapoca- Branca cultivars showed to be responsive to the environmental stimulus. GO 100P cultivar was adapted to favorable environments.