Estimation of variability, character association and path analysis in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

An experiment was conducted on 24 genotypes for 12 characters to estimate the variability, character association and path analysis for yield and yield contributing components in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). As per analysis of variance character plant height, number of tillers/plant, spike length, awn length, grain yield/plant and biological yield/plant were found to be promising for further selection. Grain yield shows highly significant positive correlation with number of tillers/plant, number of spikelet/spike and harvest index, revealed by correlation analysis. Whereas, as per path coefficient analysis spike length shows highest positive direct effect on grain yield followed by number of tillers/plant, 100 grains weight, days to maturity, awn length, plant height, number of spikelet/spike, harvest index, days to flowering, biological yield/plant and number of grains/spike. Genotypes WP-710/1, HD-3128, TALL-2, DBW-730 and TALL-3 are found to be promising for character grain yield and can be selected for future hybridization program.