Genetic variability studies for yield and its component traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Twenty bread wheat genotypes were studied across four environments viz., 15 Nov (E1), 25 Nov (E2), 05 Dec (E3), 15 Dec (E4) during Rabi 2019-20 at Department of Seed Technology, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar and the data were pooled to estimate the genetic variability parameters. The analysis revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters studied in all four sowing seasons indicating sufficient variability existing among genotypes. The estimation of genetic parameters revealed closer affinity of GCV and PCV for the characters days to 50% heading, days to maturity, grain filling period and plant height indicating the scope for the selection for these traits. The characters tillers per meter, tillers per plant, spike length, number of grains per spike, grain weight per spike, grain yield per meter, grain yield per plant, thousand grain weight, biological yield per meter, biological yield per plant and harvest index exhibited larger variation in the values of GCV and PCV showing significant action of environment in the expression of these traits. High heritability with high genetic advance was reported for spike length, number of grains per spike and grain weight per spike indicating predominance of additive gene action with effective selection. Whereas, high heritability with moderate genetic advance were reported for days to 50% heading, grain filling period, plant height, tillers per meter, thousand grain weight and biological yield per plant.