Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in Wheat under different normal and heat stressed environments

Abstract

Eighteen wheat genotypes raised in the Pusa farm, Bihar during during Rabi season of 2011-12 were evaluated for genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for four yield attributing traits. Significant differences were observed among the genotypes for the traits namely, spikelet fertility, number of grains per spike, number of effective tillers per plant and pollen sterility. The PCV and GCV was found to be high for spikelet fertility, number of grains per spike and pollen sterility while, moderate for number of effective tillers per plant and spikelet fertility (field). Higher value of PCV was obtained in all the cases than the GCV for all the characters. The heritability for all the characters was found to be high with high GAM (Genetic advance over mean). Hence, these yield attributing traits could be considered as suitable selection criteria for the development of high yielding wheat cultivars in the breeding programs.