THE USEFULNESS OF BIPARENTAL MATINGS AND GENO-PHENOTYPIC SELECTION FOR YIELD IMPROVEMENT IN WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

Abstract

Following the gena-phenotypic and phenotypic selection schemes (5% and 10% intensities), the predicted and realized responses to first cyc.e of selection and the predicted response to second cycle of selection exhibited greater improvement in grain yield under biparentai matings than selfing. Further, the geno-phenotypic selection resulted into greater response for yield improvement than phenotypic selection under biparental matings as well as selfing. It clearly suggest that the gena-phenotypic selection following intermating in F2 may be exercised to obtain enhanced and continuous gains in grain yield in succeeding generations. Further, an increase in grain yield was linked with increase in plant height, tiller number and biologicai yield. These traits were also significantly and positively associated with grain yield in all populations indicating that an index comprising these traits may be used for selecting high yielding wheat genotypes of suitable height.