Adaptability patterns and stable cultivar selection in menthol mint (Mentha arvensis L.)

The investigation was carried out to determine the stability and adaptability patterns of a set of ten cultivars of Mentha arvensis L in different years in India, namely, MAS-1, Himalaya, Gomti, Sambhaw, Kalaka, Damroo, CIMAP-Saryu, Kosi, Kushal and Saksham, in a multi-year evaluation trial across three consecutive years. In the adaptation strategy the important steps here was to study/assess the performance of menthol mint varieties in multiyear trials. It was observed in this study that three mint varieties namely, Kosi, Kushal and CIMAP Saryu showed high stability for essential oil yield over years. Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) modal was found most efficient and practical alternative to selection of better adapted menthol mint cultivars. Based on the AMMI model, cultivars Kosi, Kushal and CIMAP Saryu expressed the high adaptability over years due to its ability to tolerate wide environmental conditions in different years/environments. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.