Deciphering the Association among Agronomic Traits Influencing Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Yield and Yield Attributes

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21 at the Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Powarkheda, Narmadapuram (Madhya Pradesh), India. Sixty-five genotypes comprising 15 parents and 50 hybrids derived from a Line × Tester mating design were evaluated in a Randomized Block Design with three replications to estimate genetic parameters, correlations, and path coefficients for yield and its component traits. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for all characters, indicating the presence of substantial genetic variability. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was recorded for traits such as number of effective tillers per plant, spike weight, and biological yield, suggesting the predominance of additive gene action. Genotypic and phenotypic correlations demonstrated that chlorophyll content, canopy temperature, spike weight, and harvest index had significant positive associations with grain yield. Path coefficient analysis further identified chlorophyll content and canopy temperature as the most influential traits exerting strong direct effects on yield. The results underscore the importance of integrating physiological and morphological traits for effective selection in wheat breeding. The study provides a genetic basis for developing high-yielding, physiologically efficient, and climate-resilient wheat cultivars adapted to central Indian agro-ecological conditions.