Adaptability and stability of nine onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties for bulb yield in off-season cultivation at the Guinean high savannah zone of Cameroon

DOI: 10.22161/ijeab.113.6

Abstract:
The sensitivity of onions (Allium cepa L.) genotypes to environmental changes significantly influences yield and quality, necessitating adaptability studies across diverse locations. In Cameroon, onions are produced mainly in the sudano-sahelian regions. They are grown worldwide at different latitudes between 10°S and 65°N and are a very important source of food and income for rural populations. The current study investigates how the genotype by environment interaction (GEI) affects the bulb yield of nine onions varieties grown in diverse conditions at the Guinean high savannah zone of Cameroon, in order to contribute to food security and local development.The analysis of variance through Statgraphics Plus 5.0 program was used to study the variability of yield of the nine onions varieties grown on four environmental conditions in two locations, Marza and Bini, during dry season 2024 and 2025. Employing a split-split plot design with three replications, with genotypes as the main factor and environments as sub-factor, we assessed GEI effects on onion yield using GEST 98 software and identified adaptable and stable varieties. The results showed that bulb yield varied significantly with genotypes and environments and ranged from 23.82 to 87.23 t.ha. Three varieties namely Safari, El Kara and Violet de Galmi exhibited the highest bulb yield while lowest yields were noted on Ares and Red Creole.The combination of organic chiken manure and mineral NPK fertilize (CM+NPK) appeared as the best environement. The site of Marza and the growing season 2024 offered best conditions for onions cultivation comparing to the site of Bini and growing season 2025. Stability indices and AMMI analyses showed that varieties Ares, Red Creole and Prema were the most stable but with poor yield performance, while the other genotypes were with specific adaptability. The sudy concluded that varieties Safari, El kara and Violet Galmi could be selected as potential candidates for developing onion cultivation in the Guinean high savanna zone of Cameroon.

Keywords:
Allium cepa L., adaptability, stability, Guinean high savannas, off-season, Cameroon.

Article Info:
Received: 06 Apr 2026; Received in revised form: 05 May 2026; Accepted: 10 May 2026; Available online: 16 May 2026

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