Selection indices for yield improvement in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under late sown condition

Abstract

The discriminant-function technique was used to construct selection indices in 48 genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under late sown condition. Thirty-one selection indices involving grain yield per plant and its four components were constructed using discriminant function technique. The efficiency of selection increased with inclusion of more number of characters in the selection index. The index based on three characters viz., grain yield per plant, number of productive tiller per plant and biological yield per plant recorded the highest genetic gain and relative efficiency followed by index based on four characters viz., grain yield per plant, number of productive tiller per plant, plant height and biological yield per plant. The use of these indices is advocated for selecting high yielding genotypes of bread wheat.