Abstract

In the process of introducing cotton cultivars, it is essential to assess their productive behavior for different environments for which they will be recommended. Knowledge of the magnitude of the genotype interaction with environment allows the evaluation of the stability and adaptability of genotypes where one intends to introduce them, in addition to enabling the evaluation of the production potential and possible limitations of each environment. The study was conducted to determine the productivity, genotypic adaptability and genotypic stability of nine cotton cultivars (Gossypium hirsutum) in Mozambique, from 2004 to 2010 growing seasons. The genotypic stability and genotypic adaptability were assessed by Residual Maximum Likelihood (REML) and predict breeding values using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) methodology. The cultivars ISA 205, STAM 42 and REMU 40 showed superior productivity when they were selected by the Harmonic Mean of Genotypic Values (HMGV) criterion in relation to others. In turn, the cultivars CA 222, STAM 42 and ISA-205 were superior when selected by the Relative Performance of Genotypic Values (RPGV) and Harmonic Mean of the Relative Performance of Genotypic Values (HMRPGV). The cultivars CA 324 had the lower values for all criterions above. The cultivars CA 222 and STAM 42 will be the most recommended for farmers in cotton-growing regions and for the Cotton Breeding Program of Mozambique.

Key words: Gossypium hirsutum, harmonic mean of the relative performance of genotypic values (HMRPGV), relative performance of genotypic values (RPGV), harmonic mean of genotypic values (HMGV), residual maximum likelihood (REML)/best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP).