VARIABILITY AND ASSOCIATION OF GRAIN YIELD WITH VEGETATIVE AND GRAIN FILLING PERIOD IN SPRING WHEAT

Abstract

Variability and interrelationship of characters were studied in fifteen wheat genotypes. Vegetative period, grain filling period and yield showed wide range of variation. Heritability estimates were high for vegetative period, grain filling period and maturity but it was low for yield. Days to maturity expressed low genotypic and phenotypic variability and genetic advance. Vegetative period and grain filling period having high heritability and appreciable genetic advance indicate the scope of improvement. The correlation of vegetative period was positive with days to maturity but it was negative with grain filling period and yield. Grain filling period had negative correlation with days to maturity and positive correlation with grain yield. Path coefficient analysis showed that vegetative period had high positive direct effect on yield while the direct effect of grain filling period and days to maturity of yield was negative. The findings imply that there should be compromise in choosing weight for the duration of vegetative and grain filling period at certain maturity for getting higher yield.