Correlation and path analysis in wheat cultivars in the initial period of development

Abstract

The cultivation of soybeans in the central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, has increased the interest of farmers for winter crops in the region. However, information related to crop development in a low-latitude environment is limited and necessary to improve crop management. The objectives of this article were to evaluate the linear relation between traits of spring wheat cultivars in the initial period of development in a low-altitude site. The experiments were conducted in two years in Santa Maria - RS. The experimental design used was randomized blocks, with ten wheat cultivars. The evaluations were carried out at the end of the tillering, where 300 plants were selected per year, obtaining a total sample number of 600 plants. After selecting, the character’s plant height (PH), the number of leaves of the main stem (NLMS), the number of leaves per plant (NLP), the number of tillers (NT), and the dry matter (DM) were measured. Pearson’s correlation coefficient matrices were estimated, and the path analysis of the main variable DM was performed as a function of PH, NLMS, NLP, NT, and DM. The cultivars TBIO Mestre and TBIO Sinuelo have a higher number of tillers. The NLP has a greater direct effect on DM, in field conditions it is recommended to count the NT, as it has a direct relationship with DM and NLP, associated with this, the character is fast to count and has agronomic value for the wheat crop. In a low-altitude cultivation site, the number of tillers depends on cultivation and environmental conditions. The cultivars TBIO Mestre and TBIO Sinuelo have high tillering capacity. Based on linear relationships, through the non-destructive selection of wheat plants with a greater number of leaves per plant and a greater number of tillers, plants with a higher dry matter mass are indirectly selected. However, the number of tillers is recommended because it is quick to measure.