Evaluation of genetic variability In durum wheat (Triticum durum L.) 

Abstract

Estimation of the variability, heritability and genetic advance in the durum wheat genotypes (Triticum durum L) plays vital role in the plant breeding. Thirty durum wheat genotypes were evaluated at the Wheat Research Station, Vijapur during rabi season of 2016-2017 in a randomized block design with two replications for the estimation of the variability parameters, heritability and genetic advance. The result showed, all the genotypes exhibited wide range of variation for all the traits except for number of tillers per meter, indicating the presence of enough genetic variability in the material under study. In variability analysis of the genotypic coefficient of variation were moderate for grain yield per plot and number of grain per spike, while the estimates of phenotypic coefficient of variation were high for grain yield and moderate for number of tillers per meter, number of grain per spike and spike length. Heritability estimates were highest for days to heading, number of grain per spike, thousand grain weight, spike length, grain yield per plot and days to maturity and the Genetic advance percent of mean were highest for grain yield per plot and number of grain per spike. In the present study, result based on high variability and high heritability coupled with high genetic advance percent of mean for grain yield per plot and number of grain per spike suggesting selection for these traits would give good response.