Genetic Variability and Character Association Studies in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) for Seed Yield and Its Contributing Traits

Abstract

This study investigated genetic variability, correlation and path analysis in wheat 54 genotypes, including 40 F1 hybrids, 14 parental lines, and a standard check variety (HD-3086). The parental lines consisted of 10 females and 4 males, with the hybrids evaluated using a randomized block design (RBD) during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 rabi season. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences among genotypes for most traits, indicating considerable genetic variability. Genotypic correlation analysis identified strong positive relationships between grain yield per plant (GYPP) and key agronomic traits, such as spike length, spikelets per spike, grains per spike, grain yield per spike, harvest index, and test weight. Conversely, negative correlations with days to 50% flowering and plant height suggested that early flowering and shorter plants are beneficial for yield enhancement. Path coefficient analysis revealed that harvest index and biological yield had the most substantial positive direct effects on GYPP, while traits like protein content and days to maturity showed negative direct effects. Thus, using such traits like harvest index and biological yield in wheat improvement program could increase wheat yield”.