Plant traits to complement selection based on yield components in wheat

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between plant traits and yield per spike in wheat genotypes. The measured plant traits were: length of flag leaf blade, peduncle extrusion, peduncle, spike and sheath, culm diameter and plant height. Data were analyzed with correlation and path coefficient analysis. Yield per spike correlated positively with spike length and culm diameter. Path coefficient analysis indicated that, under irrigated condition, yield per spike had a positive direct effect and a positive correlation with spike length and culm diameter and, under non-irrigated condition, yield per spike showed a positive direct effect and a positive correlation with culm diameter, spike length and plant height. Culm diameter and spike length, under irrigated condition, and also plant height, under late season water stress condition, were the plant traits most related to higher grain yield per spike in wheat.