Expression and Performance of Nepalese Wheat Genotypes under Irrigated and Multiple Abiotic Stress Conditions

Background: The wheat crop plays a crucial role in Nepal’s agricultural economy. This study aims to evaluate the performance and stability of various wheat genotypes under different environmental conditions, with the goal of identifying the most stable and adaptable genotype. Methods: The experiments was conducted across five environments using 20 wheat genotypes in alpha lattice design with two replications at Bhairahawa, Nepal. Result: The most significant yield reduction, of 86.37%, occurred under drought conditions compared to irrigated ones, where NL_1447 recorded the highest yield of 5943 kg/ha under irrigated conditions. The average yield of wheat genotypes under irrigated,rainfed,drought,heat stress rainfed and heat stress irrigated environments were 4770,1520,650,1952 and 3049 kg/ha, respectively. Analysis of variance indicated that grain yield variation was significantly explained by genotype, environmentand genotype ´environment interaction, accounting for 2.27%, 91.6% and 6.1%, respectively. NL_1504 was particularly well-suited to irrigated conditions, NL_1488 to heat stress irrigated conditionsand Bhrikuti to heat stress rainfed conditions.