Genotype × environment interaction and stability of safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) genotypes for yield and yield-related traits

Introduction

Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum; 2n = 4x = 28) is an important medicinal plant belonging to the family Liliaceae and is widely valued for its therapeutic and commercial significance. The genus Chlorophytum comprises several species distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, with C. borivilianum being one of the most economically important species in India (Bordia et al., 1995) [1] . Its fasciculated storage roots are rich in bioactive constituents, particularly steroidal saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics and polysaccharides, which contribute to its diverse pharmacological properties (Thakur et al., 2009) [10] . Safed musli has been traditionally used in Ayurveda as a rejuvenating tonic or "Vajikarana Rasayana" and is reported to possess aphrodisiac, adaptogenic, antioxidant, immunomodulatory and antidiabetic properties (Deore and Khadabadi, 2009; Pal et al., 2015) [2] . Increasing demand from pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and traditional medicine sectors has enhanced its economic importance, while several regions of India, including Maharashtra, possess favourable conditions for its cultivation (Singh et al., 2008) [9] . Despite its increasing importance, productivity of safed musli is influenced by genetic variability and environmental conditions. Genotypes often differ in their response to environmental fluctuations, resulting in significant genotype × environment (G × E) interaction, which may alter the relative performance and ranking of genotypes across locations. Hence, multilocation testing under diverse environments is essential for identifying genotypes with high yield potential, wider adaptability and consistent performance.

Stability analysis provides a useful approach for understanding the response of genotypes to environmental variation and for identifying genotypes suitable for specific or wider adaptation. The Eberhart and Russell (1966) [4] model assesses phenotypic stability using the regression coefficient (bᵢ) and deviation from regression (S²dᵢ), with genotypes exhibiting high mean performance, bᵢ close to unity and low S²dᵢ generally considered desirable and stable. The applicability of this approach in safed musli has also been demonstrated by Dubey et al. (2017) [3] through evaluation of germplasm across different environments. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate safed musli genotypes across diverse environments, assess G × E interaction and stability for yield and yieldcontributing traits, and identify superior and stable genotypes for use in crop improvement and wider cultivation.

Materials and Methods

The experiment was conducted during Kharif 2025 at four environments, viz., Nagarjuna Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Garden, Dr. PDKV, Akola; Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Achalpur; Beetlevine Research Station (BRS), Divthana; and Agricultural Technology School (ATS), Pusad. Eight genotypes of safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), namely AKSM-01, AKSM-08, AKSM-10, AKSM-11, AKSM-12, MCB-405, LC (Bordi Collection) and LC (Vivra Collection), were evaluated in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications at each environment. The genotypes were planted at a spacing of 30 × 10 cm, and the crop was sown during the second fortnight of June 2025. Observations were recorded for yield and yield-contributing traits at each environment. The data obtained from the multilocation trials were subjected to analysis of variance to determine the effects of genotypes, environments and genotype × environment interaction. Stability analysis was carried out following the Eberhart and Russell (1966) [4] model using the regression coefficient (bᵢ) and deviation from regression (S²dᵢ) to identify genotypes with high mean performance, wider adaptability and stable performance across the environments.

Results and Discussion

Genotypic performance and variability

The pooled analysis revealed considerable variation among the eight safed musli genotypes for growth, yield and quality traits (Tables 123456). AKSM-01 recorded the highest pooled plant height (29.70 cm), number of leaves per plant (13.05), leaf length (26.03 cm), number of tubers per plant (11.97), tuber length (8.63 cm), tuber diameter (6.79 mm), fresh tuber yield (12.34 g plant⁻¹) and dry tuber yield (2.82 g plant⁻¹). The highest pooled saponin content was recorded in AKSM-01 and AKSM-11 (9.12%), followed by AKSM-12 (9.07%). These results indicated substantial genetic variation among the genotypes, providing scope for selection of superior material for yield and quality improvement.

The environments also differed considerably in their influence on trait expression. Achalpur recorded the highest environmental mean for fresh tuber yield (12.53 g plant⁻¹) and dry tuber yield (2.68 g plant⁻¹), whereas Divthana recorded the lowest means (8.65 and 1.87 g plant⁻¹, respectively). The environmental indices further indicated that Achalpur was favourable for fresh and dry tuber yield, while Divthana and Pusad were comparatively less favourable environments (Table 9). Such environmental variation provided an appropriate basis for evaluating genotype × environment interaction.

Genotype × environment interaction

Bartlett's test revealed non-significant differences among error variances for all eleven traits, indicating homogeneity of error variances across the four environments (Table 7).

The pooled analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes for most of the characters, confirming the presence of genetic variability (Table 8). Significant environmental effects were observed for several traits, particularly plant height, leaf length, days to senescence and fresh tuber yield. The genotype × environment interaction was significant for plant height, number of leaves, leaf width, days to senescence, number of tubers per plant and saponin content, indicating differential responses of genotypes to environmental conditions. Significant pooled deviation from regression for several traits, including fresh and dry tuber yield, further indicated the presence of non-linear genotype × environment interaction. The results emphasize the importance of multilocation testing for identifying genotypes with consistent performance. Similar importance of genotype × environment interaction and stability analysis in safed musli has been reported by Dubey et al. (2017) [3] .

The Eberhart and Russell model separates the environmental response into linear and non-linear components through the regression coefficient and deviation from regression.

Stability analysis

Stability parameters revealed considerable differences among genotypes for their response to environmental variation (Tables 101112). According to the Eberhart and Russell model, a genotype with high mean performance, regression coefficient (bᵢ) close to unity and low deviation from regression (S²dᵢ) is considered desirable for wider adaptation. Genotypes with bᵢ > 1 are generally more responsive to favourable environments, whereas genotypes with bᵢ < 1 show better adaptation to unfavourable environments.

For fresh tuber yield, AKSM-01 recorded the highest mean (12.34 g plant⁻¹), but its significant S²dᵢ (3.5061**) indicated considerable environmental sensitivity. In contrast, AKSM-08 recorded a high mean yield of 11.61 g plant⁻¹ with bᵢ = 1.00 and very low S²dᵢ (-0.25), indicating desirable average stability across environments. For dry tuber yield, AKSM-08 again showed a favourable combination of high mean (2.64 g plant⁻¹), bᵢ = 1.00 and near-zero deviation from regression (0.0003). Thus, AKSM-08 was identified as the most promising genotype for stable fresh and dry tuber yield across the tested environments.

For individual component traits, AKSM-01 showed superior performance for several yield-contributing characters, while AKSM-08 exhibited comparatively better stability for number of leaves, leaf width and tuber yield. AKSM-12 showed desirable stability for days to senescence and leaf length. MCB-405 showed comparatively low environmental responsiveness for some traits, suggesting its usefulness under less favourable conditions. The present findings are in agreement with earlier reports in safed musli. Maiti and Geetha (2005) [7] reported wide genetic variability among Chlorophytum borivilianum germplasm for plant type, maturity, growth and yield characters, as well as size and shape of fleshy roots. Kothari and Singh (2001) [5] also observed considerable variability among safed musli germplasm accessions for growth and yield-related traits. Similarly, Kumar et al. (2007) [6] reported significant variation among genotypes and substantial genetic variability for yield and its contributing characters in safed musli. Further, significant genotype × environment interaction and differential stability of genotypes for quantitative traits have been reported by Dubey et al. (2017) [3] , supporting the importance of multilocation evaluation for identifying stable and widely adapted genotypes

Overall performance and stability

Considering mean performance together with bᵢ and S²dᵢ, AKSM-08 was identified as the most desirable genotype for wider adaptation, particularly for fresh and dry tuber yield.

Although AKSM-01 recorded the highest fresh and dry tuber yield, its significant deviation from regression indicated greater environmental sensitivity. Therefore, AKSM-01 may be considered a high-yielding genotype particularly suited to favourable environments, whereas AKSM-08 combined good yield with greater stability across environments. These genotypes may therefore serve as promising material for further evaluation and utilization in safed musli improvement programmes.

References

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