Systematic trait based identification and characterization of Indian wheat varieties released during different time scales

Abstract

Aim: Wheat varieties have been developed for yield improvement by modern plant breeding methods from the basic pedigree for long which brought about a restricted hereditary base. Therefore, the present study was designed to develop identification keys and characterize different wheat varieties on the basis of multiple traits. Methodology: Thirty-four Indian wheat (Triticum spp.) varieties released during different time scales were assessed for diversity through various approaches based on morphological, seed vigour, biochemical and molecular characterization.? Results: The results revealed that a considerable amount of variation was present in phenotypic characters such as flag leaf, plant height, spike and yield related characters. Seed vigour parameters included test weight, seedling dry weight, seedling length, accelerated ageing test and vigour indices showed significant variability among varieties. Dehydrogenase activity, tetrazolium test and electrical conductivity of seed leachates were also found worth studying for diversity. Molecular characterization included twenty-one SSRs selected after screening of 45, amplified 46 alleles, among them 42 alleles were polymorphic. PIC value varied from 0.1 to 0.65 and similarity coefficient extended from 0.34 to 0.87. Interpretation: Genetic diversity pattern analysis of genotypes based on their geographical origin did not show any clear relation, however characters like plant height, seed boldness and seedling vigour indices of varieties showed a trend with a chronology of their release. Different perspectives used in the study successfully categorized wheat genotypes into various groups.