Genetic Variability and Character Association Analysis for Seed Yield and its Attributes in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Introduction: The experiment was conducted in Research Farm, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, during Rabi season 2019-2020 using augmented block design in five blocks. The objective was to assess the genetic variability and character association analysis of eighty-two wheat genotypes. Methodology: Eighty-two genotypes including three checks (HI1544, DBW110, and GW322) observed its various quantitative traits for genetic variation, heritability, genetic advance, and character association. The observations were recorded on fifteen agro-morphological and physiological characters viz; days to 50 percent heading, days to maturity, canopy temperature (oC), chlorophyll content, flag leaf width (cm), flag leaf length (cm), tillers per meter, peduncle length (cm), plant height (cm), spike length (cm), awn length (cm), 1000-grain weight (g), grain yield per plant (g), biological yield per plant (g) and harvest index (%). Statistical analysis was carried out by R Programming and SAS version 9.2 statistical software. Results: The genotypes IC443619, IC6165734, and IC624496 were having earlier days to maturity than the best check DBW110. HD3086, K0307, PBW343, RAJ3, 765, and MACS6478 have been found promising for grain yield per plant. The highest Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and Genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were recorded for tillers per plant followed by awn length, peduncle length, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, plant height, and spike length. Heritability in broad sense wide ranged from 26.3 percent for canopy temperature to 95.63 percent for grain yield per plant. The grain yield per plant showed a positive and significant correlation with biological yield per plant, harvest index, and tillers per meter, whereas it showed a negative significant association with awn length. Conclusion: The relationship between grain yield per plant and biological yield per plant, harvest index, and tillers per metre was positive and significant, indicating that an increase in these component characteristics will also boost economic grain yield per plant.