Article
Estimates of genetic variability and correlation of traits among ten accessions of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) evaluated under open field condition
- By Victor Olugbenga Olumekun, Abiola Toyin Ajayi, Vincent Ayobami Lawal, Ruth Akingba - 08 Dec 2022
- Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemical Engineering, Volume: 2, Issue: 1, Pages: 23 - 34
- Received: 4 February 2022; Accepted: 10 March 2022; First Online: 30 March 2022
Abstract
In Nigeria and the rest of the world, wheat receives exceptional attention because of the critical role it plays in satisfying human and livestock nutritional needs. However, the productivity of the crop in the wheat- producing belt of Nigeria has been limited by adverse environmental conditions which may be tied to climate change. This paper was conducted to show the genetic variableness and inter character association within the wheat crops in the Southwestern Nigeria environment of Akungba-Akoko. These accessions were grown in the field in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated 3 times. Result analysis shows higher differences (P ≤ 0.05) among accessions for all traits measured. Plant height ranged from the lowest (4.29cm) in ACC1 to the highest (5.37 cm) in ACC6. Grain yield/plot was highest (10.35 g) in ACC4, while it was lowest (1.20g) in ACC9. Grains/spike, tillers/plant, and spike length showing higher heritability (˃60%) coupled with higher genetic advance as percent of the mean (GAM) (˃20%) suggested that direct selection can be made based on these traits for the improvement programme of wheat. Grains/spike exhibiting positive correlation with grain yield/plot (0.72) indicated that its selection will positively improve yield of wheat in this environment.
Keywords: Heritability, grains, GAM, productivity, photoperiod