Integrating Multi-Trait Selection Indices for Climate-Resilient Lentils: A Three-Year Evaluation of Earliness and Yield Stability Under Semi-Arid Conditions

Abstract

This research assessed 42 lentil genotypes developed by ICARDA along with a local variety over three growing seasons (2019–2022) in Southeastern Türkiye. Phenological, morphological, and yield attributes were determined to observe earliness, yield stability, and adaptation properties. Genotype G3771 showed outstanding performance in grain yield (2579 kg ha−1), 1000-seed weight (54.9 g), and harvest index (37.3%), although it had lower stability under more severe drought conditions. Early-maturing genotypes like G3744, G3715, and G3716 consistently flowered and matured sooner, making them better suited for escaping terminal drought stress areas. The highest yields were recorded during the 2019–2020 season, which experienced favorable rainfall and soil nutrient levels, while the lowest yields occurred due to changing climatic conditions in the 2020–2021 season, highlighting the crop’s sensitivity to climate. Principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering, the Modified Multi-Trait Stability Index (MTSI), and the Multi-Trait Genotype-Ideotype Distance Index (MGIDI) aided in effective genotype classification. Although G3771 was the most productive, genotypes G3687, G3715, and G3689 proved to be the most stable and early maturing based on MGIDI scores. Strong relationships between grain yield, biological yield, and seed size identified these as key selection criteria. This study underscores the value of multi-trait selection tools like MGIDI and MTSI in consistently pinpointing lentil genotypes that balance earliness, productivity, and adaptability, laying a strong foundation for developing climate-resilient varieties suited to semi-arid climates.