Correlation and path analysis of yield and yield attributing traits of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in irrigated and non-irrigated environments

Abstract

Correlation and path analysis helps breeders to discriminate the yield attributing characters and aids in the development of the cultivars that are better suited to the changing scenario. The present study was conducted during 2019-2021 at the farm of Deurali Institute of Agro-tourism and Educational Research Center, Nepal to assess the relation between the yield and yield attributing characters, and the direct and indirect effect of these traits to the grain yield. Twenty elite wheat lines were planted in two environments viz., irrigated and non-irrigated and data were collected at different stage of growth. From this study, the highest correlation of yield contributing factor with grain yield was observed in grain per spike (GPS) in irrigated environment, whereas it was with spikelet per spike (SPS) and spike length (SPL) in case of non-irrigated environment suggesting that SPS and SPL can be used for selecting genotypes in non-irrigated environment. In both the environment, spike length had highest direct effect to the grain yield indicating that the direct selection to improve grain yield with these traits would be effective; in addition, SPL and SPS have also direct positive effect to the grain yield and valuable for improving grain yield and adaptability in non-irrigated environment.