The Correlation ; Path Coefficient Analysis and Selection Indices for Grain Yield and its Components in Bread Wheat

Abstract

Eleven varieties of bread wheat were grown for two seasons(2000-2001)and (2001-2002). The results revealed that phenotypic and genotypic variances were highly significant for plant hight, number of spikes / m2, number of grains per spike, 1000 grain weight and grain yield. Genetic correlation was positive and highly significant between grain yield and each of number of spikes / m2 and grains per spike. the phenotypic and genotypic path coefficient analysis showed that number of per spike and number of spikes / m2 had the direct effects on grain yield. Broad sense heritability was (1) high for plant heigh; number of spikes / m2 and grain yield (2) medium for number of grains per spike and 1000 grain weight, more over phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation ranged between medium for grain yield and number of spikes / m2 and low for number of grains per spike, spike length and 1000 grain weight. Four superior varieties were. Selected according to their mean performance and selection indices.