Genetic variability studies in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) through hybridization cum mutation for agro-morphological traits under rainfed situation

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out with the main objective of estimating the extent of genetic variability released through recombination, induced mutation and their combination for yield and its component traits in ten segregating populations of bread wheat. The material consisted of segregating populations (F2, M2 and F2M2) developed from two bread wheat varieties viz., GW322 and UASBW11949 after irradiating with gamma-rays. Higher mean and wider range was recorded for grain yield per plant and other traits in F2M2 compared to F2. Higher genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variance was observed in F2M2 population for plant height, spikelets per spike, grains per spike, productive tillers per plant, spike length and 1000 seed weight indicating greater scope for selection and improvement of the characters in desired direction. The estimates of heritability, GA and GAM were increased from F2 to F2M2 revealing possibility of getting more success by selecting in F2M2 compared to F2 population.