Comparative Analysis of Morphological and Yield Traits in Wheat Genotypes

Kiran Dost1*, Muhammad Ihsan Ali2, Nimra Gul1, Zafran khan1, Noor UL Huda1, Rizwana Maqbool3 and Muhammad Kashif1

1Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad 2Department of Seed Science and Technology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad 3CAS-AFS Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a fundamental cereal crop, crucial for food security and economic stability globally, particularly in Pakistan, where it significantly contributes to the agricultural sector. This study aimed to evaluate ten wheat genotypes for their morphological traits and yield-related characteristics. The experiment was conducted in field area of Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, UAF using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications, plant height, peduncle length, spike length, leaf area, number of tillers, grains per spike, and grain yield per plant were measured. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and Tukey’s mean comparison, indicated significant differences among the genotypes. Notably, Johar-2016 exhibited the highest plant height (105 cm), while Chakwal-50 recorded the lowest (89.67 cm). Aas-2011 showed maximum peduncle length (39.00 cm) and spike length (15.02 cm), with Maxi Pak-65 achieving the highest grains per spike (62.47). Correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships among key traits, such as spike length and grain yield, emphasizing the interconnectedness of morphological and yield-related characteristics. Crucially, the 1000 grain weight (TGW) exhibits a strong positive correlation with yield, highlighting its significance in overall productivity, along with correlations with NGS and grain weight per spike (GWS). These findings underscore the importance of plant height, spike length, and grain weight as key contributors to enhancing grain yield. These findings provide valuable insights for breeding programs aimed at improving wheat cultivars in Pakistan.