Genetic Divergence and Character Association Analysis in Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted in wheat adopting fifty diverse genotypes with randomized block design during Rabi 201 0-11 . Analysis of variance revealed substantial amount of variability for all the characters, indicating wide spectrum of variation among the genotypes. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance for plant height, number of tiliers per plant, length of spike, number of grains per spike, 1000 grain weight, biological yield per plant, grain yield per plant and harvest index showing the influence of additive gene action on these traits hence, may be useful for effective selection. Correlation and path analysis indicated that effective improvement in grain yield may be obtained by biological yield per plant, 1000 grain weight, number of grains per spike, length of spike, plant height, days to maturity and harvest index also can be considered as guidelines for further breeding worl<. Genotype from the same geographical region fell into different cluster and vice-versa. This suggested that selections of parents for hybridization should be on genetic diversity rather than on the geographical areas. Days to 50% flowering, followed by days to maturity, 1000 grain weight, duration of reproductive phase, harvest index and length of spike contributed most towards divergence. Divergence study suggested that crosses involving genotypes like PBW 650, HD 3061, UP 2785, UP 2786 with HD 2792 and HB 3067 and UP 2784, Raj 4231, VVH 1105 with HD 2792 and HB 3067 for getting desired segregants from breeding point of view.