Assessment of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for agro-morphological and some in-vitro related traits in durum wheat

Mahmood Khosroshahli, Reza Azizinezhad, Shadi Heidari, Alireza Etminan, Peivand Heidari

Abstract: Sixteen advanced durum wheat breeding lines were evaluated under rain-fed and supplementary irrigation conditions in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications on seventeen agro-morphological characters to examine genetic value of yield and yield-related traits. Most traits revealed the highest coefficients of variation (CV). Results showed that the maximum phenotypic variance (PCV) of traits were generally higher than genotypic coefficients of variance (GCV) under both conditions. Obtained heritability accompanied with high genetic advance for several traits indicates that most likely the heritability is due to additive gene effects and selection may be effective in early generations for these traits. These parameters were estimated for a number of traits in vitro cultures as well. Mean comparisons demonstrated that the lines G6 and G9 achieved higher levels of callus size and relative water content under the both optimal and stress conditions, while maintaining this ability in stress condition compared to other lines. Moreover, the lines G4 and G16 had the minimum difference between fresh and dry weights in optimal and stress conditions. So, these lines had the higher genetic potential for response to drought stress in vitro environments.

Keywords: agro-morphological and in-vitro; durum wheat; genetic advance; genetic variability; heritability; traits

Date published: 2020-02-26