Evaluation of elite rice genotypes under normal and moisture restricted environments based on stress tolerance and adaptability

Background: Rice is one of the most significant cereal crops in Nepal concerning of area of cultivation, production, and productivity. One major limiting factor for the production of rice is scarcity of moisture at critical stages. The study aims to understand the relationship of yield and yield attributing character and adaptability and stability of elite rice genotypes under irrigated and moisture restricted environments. Methods: A randomized complete block design was used for the experiment at IAAS Paklihawa Nepal consisting of nine rice genotypes taken from Hardinath, NRRP. Results: The percent reduction of effective panicle per m², plant height and grain yield under moisture-restricted environments as compared to irrigated environments are 22%,8%, and 24%, respectively. Stress tolerance indices represent that R17L1387, IR16L1801, and Sukhadhan 3 had the highest STI, MP and GMP which indicates that these varieties are candidate genotypes for moisture-restricted environments. By GGE biplot of Which-Won-Where (WWW) and mean vs stability analysis showed that Sukhadhan 3 was more stable genotypes across the environments. Moreover, the WWW biplot revealed that rice genotypes IR16L1713 and IR17L1387 as the winning genotypes under moisture-restricted and irrigated environments, respectively. Conclusion: The current study concluded that the most valuable option for increasing yield would be to choose one trait effective panicle per meter square and Sukhadhan 3 was the most stable genotype under both environments.