Assessment of genetic diversity in durum wheat genotypes for grain yield characters

Abstract

This study investigated 130 durum wheat (Triticum durum L.) genotypes, including 10 checks, using an Agumented Block Design during the 2024-25 Rabi season in Prayagraj, India, for 13 major agronomic parameters. High GCV, heritability, and GAM were observed for number of tillers (GCV: 17.2%, ℎ-2.: 73.98%, GAM: 30.52%), spikelets per spike (74.79%, 18.96%), biological yield per plant (72.77%, 25.91%), and harvest index (62.38%, 22.56%), showing strong additive gene effects and direct selection. Cluster VIII outperformed Cluster II in terms of seed yield (13.41 g), harvest index (39.87%), and early blooming (75.03 days) based on Mehalanobis D² research. Elite genotypes ES DCB-2015/2016-82, MCHCB-0103, GDP OUTRAB-8, and IARI-1 DW 295 demonstrated continuous advantage. These findings indicate various parental lines for hybridization in order to create high-yielding, climate-resilient durum wheat cultivars.