EFFECT OF NONGENETIC VARIATION IN SEED SIZE ON GROWTH, GRAIN YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS IN WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

Abstract

Progenies raised from biggerseeds of the samegenotypewere taller, had more leaves, tillers and number of spikelets, heavier seeds and higher grain yield than their small seeded counterparts. Differences between seed categories were also recorded for leaf area, their number, tillering and plant height at all the five growth stages, largest being at the initial stages of plant growth. Seed weight x variety interaction was also significant for many attributes. Implication of intragenotypic variation in seed size on ranking of varieties for grain yield and in biometrical studies are discussed.