Genetic variability, heritability and heterosis in improvement of grain yield and quality traits in the hybrids of Durum wheat (Triticum durum L.)


Abstract in English

This study was carried out through the cooperation between Faculty of Agricultural Damascus University and General Commission of Agricultural Scientific Researches in Karahta station of field crops researches during 2010- 2011 and 2011-2012 successive seasons. Four hybrids of durum wheat namely (Duma1*Sauady), (Buhuth9*Q88), (Sham7*Q130) and (Horaney*Q131) were evaluated to estimate heritability, genetic advance, heterosis and inbreeding depression for days to heading ,grain filing period, plant height, number of spikes per plant, and number of grains per plant. The mean average for all these traits revealed highly significant differences among crosses. Low in protein content trait (23-69%), medium in grain yield per plant (38-70) and high heritability in thousand kernel weight (62-81%) were found. All hybrids showed the highest for both mid and better parents heterosis for protein content and gluten traits. High heritability was accompanied by high genetic advance for thousand kernel weight. Low heritability was coupled with low genetic advance for grain yield per plant, protein content and gluten. However, greater magnitude of heritability coupled with higher genetic advance in some traits provided that these parameters were under the control of additive genetic effects. This indicates that selection should lead to fast genetic improvement of the material. Moreover, the high genetic correlations for most of the traits, suggested a strong inherent association among these traits at the genetic level. Thus these traits deserve better attention in future breeding programs for evolving better wheat in stress environments.

References used

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