Genetic variability for yield contributing traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under timely sown irrigated condition

Abstract:

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is among the most vital cereal crops, serving as a primary source of carbohydrates, proteins, and essential nutrients in human nutrition. The current research assessed the genetic variability, genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), heritability (h²), and genetic advance in bread wheat during the Rabi season of 2024 at the Agricultural Research Station, College of Agriculture, Dhule, Maharashtra. The aim was to better understand the genetic diversity among different bread wheat genotypes. The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Block Design with three replications, including thirty-six genotypes, and observations were recorded for nine quantitative traits. The analysis revealed significant variation among the genotypes for all characters studied. Notably, high estimates of GCV and PCV were showed for grain yield per plot, followed by the number of tillers per meter, spikelets per spike, and grains per spike. The PCV values exceeded than GCV for all traits, indicating environmental factors' influence on trait expression. Moreover, traits such as the number of tillers per meter and grain yield per plot showed high heritability coupled with substantial genetic advance as a percentage of the mean, suggesting the dominance of additive gene action and their suitability for selection. The combination of high heritability and genetic advance offers valuable insights into the effectiveness of selection in crop improvement efforts. These results can aid in identifying promising donor genotypes and developing high-yielding bread wheat varieties through future breeding programs.