Genetic Variability, Correlation and Path Analysis of Quantitative Traits in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

The research for this present study was conducted during the 2019-2020 cropping period at Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, comprising analyses of genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation, and path coefficient in bread wheat. The study evaluated sixty genotypes under randomized block design (RBD). The ANOVA showed highly significant differences among genotypes for all the 15 quantitative traits; this, therefore, points to the presence of considerable genetic variability. Invariably, estimates of genetic advance at 1% and 5% selection intensity indicated differing extents of potential genetic gain, with greater improvement noted at the 1% selection intensity level. In all studied traits, the values of PCV were higher than respective GCV values, but either narrow or smaller differences between them suggest that environmental influence was less on trait expression. From the correlation analysis, grain yield per plant showed a positive and significant correlation with grains per plant, grains per spike, and test weight, suggesting that these traits are major contributors to yield improvement.