Analysis of the Stability and Yield Performance of Biofortified Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Genotypes under Low Altitude Conditions

The supply of biofortified material to areas affected by malnutrition or micronutrient deficiency remains one of the major concerns of breeders. Nevertheless, this material must be efficient and stable. The evaluation of this performance and stability requires statistical indices. Biofortified genotypes are evaluated for the first time by these indices. The objective of this work is to analyze the performance and stability of biofortified common bean genotypes under low altitude conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The present contribution uses the evaluation of twenty-six genotypes of biofortified common beans over six crop years using parametric (Wᵢ², σ²ᵢ, s²dᵢ, bi, CVi, θ₍ᵢ₎, θᵢ) and non-parametric (S(1), S(2), S(3), S(6), NP(1), NP(2), NP(3), NP(4), KR, AR) indices for the identification of successful and stable genotypes. The results indicate the presence of the genotype x year interaction. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) shows similarities between the indices. Mean sum rank (AR) identifies NYIRAMUHONDO, G59/1-2, CODMLV 086, MBC 23, NABE 4, and K 131 as performing and stable genotypes. In the end, the best genotypes are those that are both efficient and stable. However, where stability is much more desired in relation to performance, the use of ecovalence (Wi) is more appropriate in the stability calculation.