Effect of genotype and environment on quality traits and grain yield of wheat

Abstract

Field experiments with 20 bread wheat and durum varieties of different origin were conducted in seven environments during 2005-06. Data on 5 quality traits (grain protein content, sedimentation value, test weight, thousand kernel weight, and grain density) and grain yield per plot were used to investigate the effects of G, E and G x E on these traits. Highly significant differences were detected among the environments and varieties for each of the quality variable. Both variety (V) and environment (E) had a significant effect on the quality traits and grain yield. Significant V x E interaction indicated that quality trait evaluation must be undertaken for different environments. Highly significant positive correlation were observed for grain density and yield per plot, thousand kernel weight and yield per plot, grain density and thousand kernel weight, grain density and test weight (kglhl), test weight and thousand kernel weight. Significant negative association was observed between grain protein content and thousand kernel weight. High heritability (broad sense) was observed for all the six traits under consideration with a moderate genetic advance and moderate to high genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation. These findings suggests that quality parameters could be greatly enhanced through genetic improvement for the targeted, well characterized production environments.