ANALYSIS OF GENETIC CORRELATION BETWEEN SOME TRAITS IN M2 WHEAT MUTANT AS INFLUENCED BY SODIUM AZIDE UNDER WATER STRESS

Correlation is the simultaneous variation of two variables. It is often desirable to observe and measure the relationship between two traits.  A field experiment was conducted during the growing season 2018/2019, to calculate correlation for days to heading, plant growth, spike traits, yield and its components in four wheat genotypes (Gemmeiza-11, Sids-12, Shandweel-1 and Sahel-1) in M2 generation using sodium azaide at  (0, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08 %), at the Experimental farm, Faculty of Technology and Development, Zagazig University, Egypt. This research was conducted with three replications in split plot design. Analysis of variance showed significant and highly significant differences among treatments for all traits. Mean square du to genotypes was significant and highly significant for days to 50% heading, plant height, number of tillers/plant, peduncle length, spike length, number of spikes /plant,  number of spikelets / spike,  number of grains/ spike, 1000-grain weight,  and grain yield /plant. Meanwhile, analysis of variance for sodium azide treatments revealed highly significant for days to heading, peduncle length, No. of tillers / plant, Protein content % and grain yield plant.  While it showed significant for No. of spikeliets /spike, No. of infertile spikelets / spike, No. of fertile spikelets / spike, No. of spikes / plant, straw yield / plant and biological yield/plant. The results demonstrated significantly (P≤0.05) positive association between various traits, such as 1000-grain weight made positive and significant correlation with harvest index % (0.71**) and grain yield /plant (0.62 **). Straw yield/plant demonstrated positive and highly significant association with biological yield/plant (0.99**), grain yield/plant (0.83**). Meanwhile, biological yield/plant demonstrated positive and highly significant association with grain yield/plant (0.89**). Harvest index showed positive and highly significant association with grain yield/plant (0.72**). These results demonstrating a comprehensive selection for these traits will ultimately improve grain yield in bread wheat genotypes Conclusively, genetic correlation coefficient represents the degree to which respective traits are correlated therefore correlation coefficient have predictive value in selection for water stress.