Genetic Analysis in Bread Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Genotypes Tested Under Early Stage of High Temperature Yield Trial in Ethiopia

This study was carried out to evaluate 49 Bread wheat genotypes introduced from CIMMYT with a check (Hidasse) at Kulumsa and Melkasa Agricultural Research Centers during 2022 cropping season. Hence, the objective of the study was to analysis quantitative genetic parameters of Bread Wheat genotypes evaluated under high temperature Yield Trial in 2022 main cropping season. The experiment was performed in an alpha lattice design with 2 replications having plot size of 3m2. The overall results from analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all traits (P< 0.001) at both locations. The correlation analysis revealed a higher genotypic correlation than the corresponding phenotypic correlation for most of the traits. Hectoliter Weight (HLW) and thousand-grain weight were significantly correlated with grain yield indicating their important contribution to grain yield. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was generally higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all characters. Generally, Moderate to high heritability associated with high genetic gain was observed for days heading, thousand-grain weight and grain yield indicating that the variation observed was mainly under genetic control and less affected by environment, referring the influence of additive gene action and improvement of these traits can be made through direct phenotypic selection. Hence, from the present study it is concluded that sufficient genetic variability was present in the experimental materials for most of the traits and these genotypes could be exploited in further bread wheat yield enhancement under targeted area of high temperature condition in the country.