Quantification of adaptability and stability among genotypes/cultivars for root yield in Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.)

• Ashwagandha is an ancient plant used in the Indian, Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine.
• The AMMI method used Withania somnifera crop for the first time.
• This is a very efficient model for the interpretation regarding the causes of stability.
• Six genotypes W 20, W 1 (cv. Pratap), w2, w3 (cv. Chetak), W4 and W6 exhibited widest adaptability.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.), is one of the very important medicinal plant in Ayurveda since ancient times. It is a native of Mediterranean region grows wildly in arid and semi arid parts of India. Under the germplasm enhancement programme, thirty genetic stocks/cultivars of ashwagandha originated from selective divergence belongs to eight states of India (U.P., M.P., Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Kerala, J and K., A.P. and W.B.) were evaluated in the four consecutive years for the estimation of stability/adaptability. Using the AMMI model, ashwagandha genetic stocks namely, W 20, W 1 (cv. Pratap), W 2, W 3 (cv. Chetak), W 4 and W 6 (cv.Poshita) were expressed the high adaptability and stability for root yield over years. Therefore, above six selected genetic stocks/varieties recommended for commercial cultivation in India on large scale.