Performance of micronutrients-rich, rust-resistant early-maturing, high-yielding wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Abstract

A study was conducted during 2004–07 to evaluate ‘VL Gehun 892’ wheat with respect to micronutrients, rust resistance and grain yield in 13 trials at 7 different locations in northern hills. ‘VL Gehun 892’ was developed from a cross between ‘WH 542’ selected for high grain yield, rust resistance, high iron, zinc and copper content and ‘PBW 226’ characterized for earliness and high grain weight. The results indicated that ‘VL Gehun 892’ possesses higher content of iron (37.2 ppm), zinc (35.7 ppm), copper (4.79 ppm) and manganese (49.8 ppm) coupled with good chapati quality (6.92). In addition, it also possesses high resistance to brown and yellow rust, exhibited higher yield than the prevailing varieties. It also has early maturity (143 days) and higher average productivity/day (102 kg/ha/day) making it a suitable for late sowing in northern hills of India.