Genetic Variability, Relationship among the yield components and selection criteria for yield improvement in diverse genotypes of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.)

Abstract

Estimates of genetic parameters for twenty three entries of durum wheat [Triticum durum (L.)] revealed significant variability for all the traits under study, indicated wide spectrum of variability among the genotypes. The estimates of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation were high for plant height, number of seeds per ear and seed yield per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for plant height, number of seeds per ear and grain yield per m². Improvement in yield can be made by selecting these yield contributed traits having high heritability coupled with high genetic advance. Genotypic correlations were of higher magnitude as compared to their corresponding phenotypic correlation in most of the character combination, indicating the existence of strong influenced of inherent association for the various attributes. Grain yield per m² exhibited significant stable and positive correlation with number of tillers per plant and flag leaf area at genotypic and phenotypic level. Thus, it can be inferred that selection based on any one of these traits either alone or in combination, will result in identifying high yielding genotypes. Path coefficient analysis of genotypic and phenotypic level exhibited high positive and direct effect of flag leaf area, leaf length, number of tillers per plant and plant height on grain yield per m². Thus any selection based on these characters will enhance performance and improvement grain yield in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.).