Analysis of variability, heritability and genetic advance of yield, its components and quality traits in wheat

Abstract

Sixty advanced lines of wheat were grown in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Analysis of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for fifteen traits were done. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher in magnitude than that of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the traits under studied. Peduncle length recorded the highest PCV and GCV i.e. (29.34% and 27.33%) respectively. High heritability in broad sense (bs) was observed for 1000-grain weight (97.27%) followed by plant height (95.27%)whereas, medium heritability was recorded for wet gluten% (58.41%) and protein% (47.13%). The high genetic advance as percentage of mean (at 5% selection intensity) recorded for peduncle length (52.46%). High heritability (bs) coupled with high genetic advance as percentage of mean (at 5% selection intensity) was observed for thousand grain weight (97.27%). This indicates that these traits may be controlled by additive genetic variation that can be utilized for further breeding programs and crossing nurseries of wheat improvement. Highlights m A meticulous understanding of different quantitative and qualitative traits is important for any crop improvement programme to be successful. m Protein percentage and wet gluten percentage of each genotype was estimated by micro-Kjeldal method and automatic gluten washer respectively.