Genetic variability and trait association in diverse genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under field conditions

Abstract:

The present investigation was conducted to assess genetic variability and trait association among 17 bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under field conditions during the rabi season of 2025–26 at G. H. Raisoni University, Saikheda, Madhya Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications, and eleven quantitative traits related to yield and its components were evaluated. Significant genotypic differences were observed for all the traits, indicating substantial genetic variability among the genotypes. High heritability along with high genetic advance as percentage of mean was recorded for biological yield per plant and grain yield per plant, suggesting the predominance of additive gene action and good scope for selection. Grain yield showed a strong positive association with biological yield at both genotypic (0.8121) and phenotypic (0.7513) levels. Path analysis identified 1000-seed weight and biological yield per plant as important direct contributors to grain yield. Overall, biological yield, 1000-seed weight and harvest index were identified as important selection criteria for improving grain yield in bread wheat under the agro-climatic conditions of the Satpura Plateau region of Madhya Pradesh.