Multivariate analyses, heritability and genotype environment interaction of bread wheat genotypes in Ethiopia

Considering the genetic variability of bread wheat is essential for the development of improved, high-yielding germplasm. The extent of genetic variability, heritability and genotype-environment interaction in 180 bread wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) genotypes was investigated using field-based phenotyping of 12 agro-morphological traits. The experiment was positioned at alpha lattice design in two replications in Ethiopia at Kulmsa agricultural research center, Meraro (substation of Kulmsa agricultural research center) and Holeta agricultural research center. Moderate heritability and genetic advance were observed in plant height (50 %, 5.5 %), spick length (38 %, 5.3 %), number of kernels per spick (50 %, 5.23 %), and thousand kernel weights (41 %, 4.38 %), respectively. The analysis discovered that the mean performance of grain yield per-plot was the highest at Kulmsa, implying that Kulmsa could be better for bread wheat to perform well. Phenotypic and genotypic associations of grain yield with number of kernels per speculate (0.42 and 0.99), spick weight (0.91 and 0.99), leaf area (0.14 and 0.55) were positive and significant correlated both at phenotypic and genotypic levels. Analysis of variance showed that highly significant differences for environment and genotype in which grain yields were significantly affected by environment, counted 55.22 % of the total variation, whereas genotype and genotype environment interaction accounted for 27.46 % and 17.44 %, respectively. Moreover, genotypes 53, 68 and 168 are high performing valuable genetic resources to be used in further bread wheat breeding program. Inclusively, the study provided valuable information for the bread wheat improvement.