Study on Genetic parameters and Associations for Yield and Yield-Related Traits of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes

The research was conducted at KARC in 2023 to assess the extent of genetic variability and the association among traits in bread wheat genotypes. Analysis of variance revealed significant genetic variation (p<0.01) among genotypes for eight of the ten characters studied. Plant height and thousand kernel weight displayed significant variation (p<0.05) among the genotypes. The observed variation in PCV and GCV provides valuable insights for breeders. Traits with high PCV and GCV, viz grain yield and agronomic score, offer the most significant potential for improvement. Breeders can focus their efforts on these traits to develop new varieties with superior performance. Traits with moderate PCV and GCV breeding strategies may need to consider both genetic and environmental factors. The high broad-sense heritability observed for grain yield and agronomic score, coupled with their high genetic advance, suggests a significant role of additive gene action in controlling these traits. Traits with low heritability and GAM may require more intensive breeding efforts or the use of different breeding techniques. Grain yield displayed a strong negative and highly significant correlation at both genotypic and phenotypic levels with Yellow Rust Severity. The negative correlation with yellow rust severity emphasizes the need to prioritize resistance breeding to protect yield potential from this disease. The observed positive correlations between grain yield and agronomic score, hectoliter weight, and thousand kernel weight are encouraging for breeders. These traits can serve as valuable indirect selection criteria for improving grain yield. Thus, attention should be given for those traits for breeding program .