Heterosis Stability and Molecular Diversity Analysis for Yield and Yield Related Traits in Wheat Triticum aestivum L em Thell

Abstract

newlineThe present investigation entitled Heterosis, Stability and Molecular Diversity Analysis for Yield and Yield Related Traits in Wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) em. Thell] was undertaken to estimate different levels of heterosis, combining ability effects, Genotype x Environment interaction, per se performance and phenotypic stability, molecular diversity and physio-biochemical responses in wheat crop. A set of 10 lines and 3 testers were taken to generate 30 crosses by adopting Line x Tester fashion of mating during Rabi, 2021-22. All the 30 crosses and 13 parents along with 2 standard checks were tested in three environments, viz., early sown (E1), timely sown (E2) and late sown (E3), following Randomized Complete Block Design replicated three times, during Rabi, 2022-23 at Instructional Agronomy Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, M.P.U.A.T., Udaipur (Rajasthan). Observations were taken on twenty-two different characters. The analysis of variance demonstrated that all the genotypes were significantly different from each other regarding all the characters, pointing towards presence of ample of genetic variation. The mean sum of squares due to genotypes, parents and crosses were noted significant for all the characters. The significance of mean sum of squares due to parents v/s crosses indicated the existence of heterosis for all the traits studied. The Bartlett s test revealed that error variance was found homogenous for twelve characters only, so pooled analysis was carried out for these traits only. The survey of per se performance indicated that, in general, the genotypes performed better referring grain yield per plant and its attributing traits in the normal environment (E2) as compared to the heat stressed environment (E3). The mean sum of square due to lines, testers and line x tester, in pooled analysis, were marked significant for all the characters. The line DBW 150 had significant positive gca effects over the environments and was declared as good general combiners for grain yield and