Morphological Characterization and Assessment of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Genetic based knowledge of different growth traits including morphological, physiological and developmental play’s fundamental role in the improvement of wheat. Genetic divergence allows superior recombinants which are essential in any crop development project. The present investigation was involving forty-four genotypes were assessed for 13 morphological traits undertaken to study the genetic variability, heritability (bs), genetic advance, genetic advance as percent of mean analysis. Among the genotypes, almost all the traits exhibited highly significant variation. The higher extent of genotypic (GCV) as well as phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) were noticed for number of productive tillers per plant and grain yield per plant indicted high degree of variability in these quantitative traits and suggested the possibility of yield improvement through these traits. High heritability (in broad sense) estimates were obtained highest for biological yield per plant, spike length, grain yield per plant, protein content, 1000 grain weight, plant height, productive tillers per plant, days to maturity and spikelets per spike including that these traits are mainly controlled by the genetic factor and selection based on these factors will be rewarding. Moderate estimates of genetic advance were obtained for two traits viz., plant height and biological yield per plant. A suitable combination of these traits can be used for development of high yielding genotypes. For plant height and the number of grains per spike, there was a combination of high heritability and moderate genetic advance. As a result, these qualities are controlled by additive gene action and should be chosen for further development through the use of pedigree breeding.