Study on variability, relationships and path analysis for agro-morphological traits in elite wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm lines under Northern Hill Zone conditions

Abstract

Thirty elite wheat germplasm lines were evaluated at wheat research area of Rice and Wheat Research Station, Malan, for morphological traits to identify the most promising wheat lines. Analysis of variance indicated that mean squares due to genotypes were highly significant for all the characters under study. Moderate PCV, GCV, genetic advance and high heritability was observed for grain yield per plant, flag leaf area and peduncle length_. Moderate PCV, GCV, heritability and genetic advance was observed for harvest index. Correlation studies indicated significant positive correlations of grain yield with harvest index, biological yield and 1000-grain weight. Further, harvest index and biological yield had positive high direct effects on grain yield. This indicated that selection of these traits under normal conditions will be effective of improvement of grain yield. Thus, based on present findings, 1000-grain weight, biological yield and harvest index can be utilized as suitable criteria to select high yielding genotypes. DOI.10.25174/2582-2675/2020/92518