Genetic Component and Character Association for Yield and Yield Component Traits in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

The current research involves the implementation of half diallel crosses between ten genotypes of bread wheat in 2018-2019. The parents and their F1 generation, excluding reciprocals, were then cultivated in the 2019-2020 growing season at the agriculture research farm, School of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering, IFTM University, Lodhipur Rajput, Moradabad (U.P.) and R.B. (PG) College, Mudi, Agra, using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Knowledge of type of gene action controlling target traits and genetic behaviour is a basic principle for designing an appropriate breeding procedure for the purpose of genetic improvement. Hence, the success of any selection or hybridization breeding program for developing varieties depends on precise estimates of genetic variation components for traits of interest which may be additive, dominant and non-allelic interaction effects. Significant genotype means squares and its components (parents and crosses) were obtained for all traits in both locations. Genetic components analysis found that additive (D) and Dominance (H1) was significant in all the traits. The value of mean degree of dominance was greater than additive, indicating availability of over dominance for all the traits. The present investigation revealed that grain yield was positively correlated with days to maturity, plant height, number of effective tillers per plant spike length, number of spikelets per spike, days to 50% heading and yield (q ha-1). Hence, more importance should be given to these traits while exercising selection. Based on the correlation and path studies it was reported that days to ear head emergence, days to maturity, plant height, number of effective tillers per plant, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, grain yield per plant and 1000 grain weight could be used as important selection traits in order of merit to improve productivity during designing a suitable breeding programme in wheat.