BIOMETRICAL ANALYSES OF ELITE WHEAT VARIETIES USING HALF DIALLEL METHOD IN HEXAPLOID WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

Abstract

Wheat is a major food grain crop grown around the world. Its importance lies in its grain quality and yield production towards various genotypes. The present research was conducted to assess genotypes at two locations viz. Barley and Wheat Research institute Tando Jam and Wheat Research institute Sakrand. This experiment was conducted under 6 x 6 half-diallel fashion design using six wheat parents as TD-1, TJ-83, Imdad-2005, Moomal-2002, SKD-1, and Mehran-89. The results showed that TJ-83 revealed early 75% heading and maturity. However, the genotype TD-1 provoked markable performance for different characters in both locations, including tillers plant-1, spikelet’s spike-1, grains spike-1, grain yield plant-1, 1000 grain weight, and harvest index. Among F1 hybrids, including TJ-83 × Moomal-2002 and TD-1 × TJ-83, displayed favorable characteristics, with the hybrid Imdad-2005 × Mehran-89 contributing more tillers plant-1 and TD-1 × Mehran-89 having longer spikes. For GCA effects, TD-1 demonstrated negative effects for heading and maturity revealing positive effects for other key traits, making it a promising parental material for improved wheat cultivar development. The cross TD-1 × TJ-83 proved positive SCA effects for distinctive characteristics. Correlation analysis depicted positive associations between spike length, spikelet’s spike-1, grains spike-1, and grain yield plant-1 underscoring their importance in high-yielding wheat cultivar development. Traits exhibited high heritability estimates, suggesting strong genetic control and early-generation improvement possibilities. Gene action analysis revealed an overall type of dominant gene action, confirming an over-dominant type for most traits. The concise findings indicate that the research provides valuable insights for enhancing wheat breeding programs, identifying superior genotypes, and understanding their desirable responses under diverse environmental conditions