Stability and selection of trait specific genotypes of Curcuma caesia Roxb.using AMMI, BLUP, GGE, WAAS and MTSI model over three years evaluation

Curcuma caesia Roxb. is a rare and endangered plant species which has high demand due to its wide uses in medicinal as well as pharmaceutical applications. Therefore,it is imperative to conserve this species for future generation to highlight and utilize most stable genotypes for mankind.In this study, systematic analysis was performed on a panel of 135 genotypes of Curcuma caesia for three years (2018, 2019 and 2020) in replicated study to identify superior and stable genotypes which could perform well across varied environments. A total of eleven morphological and essential oil data were recorded for all the studied year. Analysis of variance based onAdditive multiplicative mean interactionwas performed for all the traits which indicated highly significant Genotype × Environment interaction for the characters likeplant height, leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves/plant, number of tillers/plant, rhizome yield/plant and essential oil yield at P<0.005.Theprincipal component 1 and 2of the trait rhizome yield/plantcontributed 50.7% and 49.3% of the total variation while in essential oil yield, the contribution of principal component 1 and 2towards total variation accounted for 65.8% and 34.25% respectively. The stability analysis was performed on rhizome yield/plant (RY) and essential oil yield (EO) since the ultimate goal of the breeder and researchers for varietal development programme of Curcuma caesia is associated with yield components.A total of ten and eleven most stable and superior genotypes were identified for rhizome yield/plant and essential oil yield respectively.The multivariate pattern analyses used in the study were Additive multiplicative mean interaction (AMMI), Weighted average absolute scores (WAAS), GGE biplot and Best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP). Additionally, 20 genotypes were revealed through Multi trait stability index (MTSI)which were stable and superior for both the yield traits (RY and EO). These genotypes could be used in crop breeding programme for varietal development. Moreover, this is the first stability study of Curcuma caesia germplasm using different advanced analysis which is efficient and precise for selection of trait specific genotypes. • Curcuma caesia is a rare and endangered industrially important crop • First report on stability analysis performed using 135 germplasm with 3-year evaluation • GEI, AMMI, BLUP, WAAS, GGE, MTSI performed for broader and precise interpretation • Ten superior genotypes identified for rhizome yield/plant and eleven for essential oil yield • Total 20 genotypes showed consistent performance superior for both the yield trait.