Association between responses obtained using adaptability and stability methods in alfalfa

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the association between responses obtained using methods of adaptability and stability by using correspondence analysis. The forage yield of 92 genotypes of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was investigated. The trial had a randomized block design, with 2 replicates, and the data were used to test the reliability of the different methods. Twenty cuttings were obtained from each genotype between November 2004 and June 2006. Each cutting was grown in a different environment. The estimates of adaptability and stability were obtained using the methods of Eberhart and Russell (1966), Cruz, Torres and Vencovsky (1989), Nascimento et al. (2009b), and Lin and Binns (1988). Following the association analysis, correspondence analysis was conducted for determining association and discriminating the responses obtained using the methods of adaptability and stability. The unfavorable (D) and unpredictable unfavorable (DI) responses obtained using the methods of Lin and Binns (1988) and Eberhart and Russell (1966), respectively, were discrepant in relation to other responses obtained using these methods. The greatest association between responses was confirmed using the methods of Eberhart and Russell (1966) and Cruz, Torres and Vencovsky (1989).