Assessment of genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and relationship of yield and its contributing traits in wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) expresses significance for all characters except spike length and spike weight. The highest mean was observed for days to maturity (107.90) followed by plant height (77.20), days to 50% flowering (73.90) and number of grains per spike (44.70). The estimates of PCV were slightly higher than GCV for all traits. The highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was recorded for biological yield per plant, grain yield per plant and number of tillers per plant. High heritability (h 2 ) coupled with high genetic advance for plant height, biological yield per plant, flag leaf area, grain yield per plant, number of grains per spike, days of 50 % flowering and tillers per plant. The results revealed that these traits may serve as effective selection attributes during selection in the breeding program for yield improvement in wheat. Grain yield per plant was positive and showed a highly significant relation with days to 50 % flowering, tillers per plant, flag leaf area, plant height, days to maturity, biological yield per plant, spike weight and test weight. It revealed that by increasing the value of these traits, grain yield can be drastically increased. Spike length per plant was also significant and can be considered in breeding programs. The highest positive direct effect on grain yield per plant was observed by Biological yield per plant followed by Harvest Index, Days to Maturity and Spike Length, while remaining traits showed negative and direct effect on grain yield per plant. Hence, for the development of highyielding wheat varieties these traits possessing highly significant positive associations should be given more weightage in breeding or selection programme.