Deciphering the Contribution of Traits Influencing Yield and Micronutrient Content in F2 Generation of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Wheat, a crucial food crop, provides substantial dietary energy and has been intertwined with human civilization throughout its cultivation history. It meets 20 % of daily protein and calorie requirement worldwide. However, cereal grains, which form the staple diet for most people with limited content of certain essential nutrients, leading to a condition often referred to as “hidden hunger.” Micronutrients like zinc and iron are vital for human health, and deficiencies in these elements contribute to micronutrient malnutrition, a significant health concern. To combat malnutrition, biofortification emerges as a promising strategy to enhance the nutritional quality of staple crops. In this study, we explored the relationship between morphophysiological and biochemical traits and their impact on yield. Notably, the grain yield per plant exhibited a positive correlation with both plant height and chlorophyll content in the F2 populations resulting from crosses between HD2733 × Rajendra Genhu 4 and Rajendra Genhu 1 × PBW Zn 1. Further analysis revealed that traits such as days to 50 % flowering, days to maturity, number of tillers, chlorophyll content, and NDVI directly contributed to yield improvement. However, grain zinc and iron content had a negative effect on yield. These findings suggest that plant height and chlorophyll content could serve as indirect selection criteria for enhancing crop yield.