1. American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 15 (2): 205-209, 2015
ISSN 1818-6769
© IDOSI Publications, 2015
DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aejaes.2015.15.2.12513
Corresponding Author: Iftikhar Hussain Khalil, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics,
The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. Tel: +92-345-9000206.
205
Performance of Winter Wheat under Peshawar Conditions
Iftikhar Hussain Khalil, Ashiq Muhammad, Haneef Raza,1 1 2
Sher Aslam khan, Izhar Hussain, Ayub Khan and Muhammad Saeed2 2 2 2
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan1
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Haripur, Pakistan2
Abstract: Development of superior genotypes is one of the prime objectives of all wheat breeding programmes.
For this purpose comprising eight winter wheat breeding lines were planted at The University of Agriculture
Peshawar, during 2009-10 in a randomized complete block design with two replications. Genotypes were
significantly different for days to maturity, tillers m , flag leaf area, plant height, spikelets spike , spike length,2 1
grains spike , biological yield, 1000-grain weight and grain yield. However, harvest index manifested non-1
significant differences. Data for days to maturity, flag leaf area, plant height, tillers meter spike length, spikelets-2
spike , grains spike , biological yield, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and harvest index ranged between 1331 1
to 139 days, 150 to 257 m , 78.9 to 91.3 cm, 19.3 to 22.1 spikelets spike , 9.2 to 11.5 spike length, 50 to 62.42 1
grains spike , 7178 to 9038 biological yield, 22 to 33 1000-grain weight, 816.3 to 1611.1 grain yield and 0.12 to1
0.18 % harvest index, respectively. Heritability estimates days to heading, flag leaf area, days to maturity, plant
height, tillers plant spike length, spikelets spike grains spike , biological yield, 1000-grain weight and grain1 1 1
yield were 0.60, 0.61, 0.84, 0.62, 0.72, 0.62, 0.65, 0.71, 0.89 and 0.75, respectively.
Key words: Variability Heritability and Triticum aestivum L.
INTRODUCTION same year. Winter wheat is a winter annual, whose seeds
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) belongs to family system and growing until the weather becomes too cold
Graminae and its mode of reproduction is autogamous. for growth. The established root system insures rapid
It is the most important cereal crop grown all over the growth in the spring of the following year. It is ready for
world and ranks second after rice. Wheat is grown mostly harvest in early summer. Injury to winter wheat is due to
in temperate region of the world. Wheat breeders need to the most freezing and low temperature and insufficient soil
develop techniques that could help in developing high moisture and heaving. The improvement of a character is
yielding wheat cultivars. Wheat production can be dependent upon its heritability. The Higher the heritability
enhanced through development of improved genotypes more will be its response to selection and vice versa. The
capable of producing better yield under various agro term heritability is a measure of the phenotypic variance
climatic conditions and stresses [12]. Selection for grain attributable to genetic causes, has predictive function of
yield can only be effective if desired genetic variability is breeding crops Songsri et al. [19].
present in the genetic stock. Plant breeders are interested Success of any crop improvement program depends
in development of new varieties which are having high upon the presence of substantial amount of genetic
yield potential and therefore, the identification and use of variability, heritability as well as genetic gain in selection
genotypes with better genetic potential is a continuous (Khan et al. [14]. Heritability of any trait depends upon
prerequisite for synthesis of physiologically efficient and genetic properties of breeding material and environmental
genetically superior genotypes showing promise for conditions in which experiments are carried out Falconer
increased production per unit area under a given set of and Mackay [7]. A character which have higher range of
environments. Wheat is an annual plant with several genetic variability, high heritability and high genetic
varieties. Spring wheat is a summer annual whose seeds advance would be an effective tool to improve seed yield
are planted in the spring and harvested in the fall of the [12].
are planted in the fall, establishing an abundant root

2. Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 15 (2): 205-209, 2015
206
In view of the pivotal importance of wheat in the enotypes for days to maturity (Table 1). The focal
national economy, the current research was conducted purpose in many wheat breeding programs is to develop
with the objectives to: wheat cultivars with optimum days to maturity. Mean
Evaluate the potential of different winter wheat (Table 2). The minimum value for days to maturity of 133
cultivars for yield and its attributes. was recorded for each genotype OK99212 and OK 00514.
Study the magnitude and existence of the genetic Contrast the days to maturity of 139 were recorded for
variability for various attributes in winter wheat. ok-00421. Genetic and environmental and phenotypic
MATERIALS AND METHODS given in (Table 3). Genetic and environmental variances
This study was carried out during the year 2009-10 resultant heritability for days to maturity was 0.60 which
at The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan. indicates that the trait is comparatively more under
The following genotypes were used OK-95616, OK-00608- genetic control. Our results of heritability were in
W, INTRADA, OK-99212, OK-98G508W, OK-00514, contrast with those of Gufta and Verma [21] and Ahmad
OK-00618W and OK00421. This experiment was sown on et al. [4].
10 Nov, 2009. Eight lines were planted in randomizedth
complete block design with 2 replications. Each plot Flag Leaf Area: Analysis of variance showed highly
comprised 4 rows with row length of 3 m and row to row significant differences (P 0.05) among the winter wheat
distance of 30 cm. Thus net plot size for each genotype in genotypes for flag leaf area (Table 1). Mean data for flag
a replication was 3.6m². Standard dose of nitrogenous and leaf area ranged from 24.8 to 41.9 (Table 2). The lowest
phosphate fertilizers were applied i.e. 120:60:60. Standard number of flag leaf area was produced by genotype
agricultural practices were carried out throughout the OK9561656. While genotypes OK98G508W produced
growing season. highest flag leaf area. Genetic and environmental and
Data were recorded on days to maturity, number of phenotypic variances along with heritability of flag leaf
tillers, flag leaf area, plant height, spikelets spike , spike area are given in (Table 3). Genetic and environmental1
length, grains spike , biological yield, 1000-grain weight, variances for flag leaf area were 26 and 5.07, respectively.1
grain yield and harvest index. All genotypes were The resultant heritability for flag leaf area was 0.84. Same
significantly different for days to maturity, tiller m , flag result of high heritability for flag leaf area was also2
leaf area, plant height, spikelets spike , spike length, concluded by Khan et al. [13].1
grains spike , biological yield, 1000 grain weight and1
grain yield. Plant Height (cm): Genotypes showed significant
Data Analysis: The data obtained was analyzed using the for plant height (Table 1). Plant height has direct
statistical package MSTATC for analysis of variance and relationship with grain yield and thus plays a major role in
correlation. Heritability was calculated for analysis of identifying high yielding cultivars [23]. Short statured
variance using the formula. plants are preferred because taller plants are likely to
Formula h (bs) = Vg/Vg+Ve = Vg/Vp irrigation [14]. These results are confirmed by previous2
Where, Mean data for Plant height varied from 78.9 to 91.3 cm
Vg = Genotypic variance OK00618W. While genotypes OK00514 showed maximum
Vp = Phenotypic variance height. Genetic and environmental and phenotypic
Ve = Environmental variance variances along with heritability for plant height are given
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS height were 17.5 and 10.51, respectively. The resultant
Days to Maturity: Analysis of variance showed heritability were in agreement with those of Shahid et al.
significant differences (P 0.05) among winter wheat [18] and Ajmal et al. [5].
values for days to maturity ranged from 133 to139
variances along with heritability of days to maturity are
for days to maturity were 2.30 and 1.49, respectively. The
differences (P 0.05) among the winter wheat genotypes
lodge quite often and less responsive to fertilizer and
study of Mohammad et al. [16] and Ahmad et al. [3].
(Table 2). The minimum height was produced by genotype
in Table 3. Genetic and environmental variances for plant
heritability for plant height was 0.62. The results of

3. Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 15 (2): 205-209, 2015
207
Table 1: Means squares for days to maturity, tillers m , flag leaf area, plant height, spikelets spike , spike length, grains spike , biological yield, 1000-2 1 1
grain weight, grain yield and harvest index evaluated during 2009-10.
Source of Days to Tillers Flag Plant Spikelets Spike Grains Biological 1000 grain Grain Harvest
variation D f maturity m leaf area height spike length spike yield weight yield index2 1 1
Rep 1 0.06 976.56 3.55 46.58 0.51 0.77 3.84 5625198 0.122 540.56 12.03
Genotypes 7 5.99* 2101.49* 57.16** 45.51* 1.67* 0.86* 37.61* 985.08* 22.45** 12579 9.35NS NS
Error 7 1.49 511.42 5.07 10.51 0.26 0.20 7.85 166179 1.34 18352 21.19
C.V (%) 15 0.91 12.5 6.47 3.87 2.51 4.40 4.84 4.94 4.32 11.62 31.80
*, **= significant and highly significant
Table 2: Means squares for days to maturity, tillers m-2, flag leaf area, plant height, spikelets spike-1, spike length, grains spike-1, biological yield, 1000-grain
weight, grain yield and harvest index evaluated during 2009-10.
Days to Tillers Flag leaf Plant Spikelets Spike Grains Biological 1000 -grain Grain yield Harvest
Genotypes maturity m area (cm ) height (cm) spike length (cm) spike yield (kg ha ) weight (g) (kg ha ) index2 2 1 1 1 1
OK9561656 135 183 24.8 80.0 20.1 10.5 60.1 7178 27 892.0 0.12
OK00608w 135 150 30.4 81.1 20.7 10.3 59.9 9038 26 1138.9 0.13
INTRADA 136 164 35.0 80.3 19.3 9.2 53.0 8889 27 1611.1 0.18
OK99212 133 179 34.7 89.3 19.8 9.9 59.0 8678 33 1102.8 0.13
OK98G508W 135 257 41.9 82.4 22.1 11.5 57.3 7778 24 1250.0 0.16
OK00514 133 170 34.4 91.3 20.3 10.4 61.7 8791 27 1347.2 0.16
OK00618W 135 176 39.0 78.9 21.4 10.3 62.4 8166 22 1171.0 0.13
OK00421 139 170 38.3 87.4 21.2 10.3 50.0 7500 29 816.3 0.14
LSD 2.887 53.47 5.32 7.66 1.22 1.07 6.62 963.9 2.73 320.8 10.88(0.05)
Table 3: Genotypic (Vg), environmental (Ve) and phenotypic variances (Vp)
and broad sense heritability (h bs) estimates for days to maturity,2
tiller m , flag leaf area, plant height, spikelets spike , spike2 1
length, grain spike , biological yield, 1000-grain weight, grain1
yield and harvest index during 2009-10.
Traits V V V h bsg e p
2
DTM 2.3 1.49 3.7 0.60
Tillers m 795.0 511.42 1306.5 0.612
Flag leaf area 26.0 5.07 31.1 0.84
Plant height 17.5 10.51 28.0 0.62
Spikelet spike 0.7 0.27 1.0 0.721
Spike length 0.3 0.21 0.5 0.62
Grain spike 14.9 7.85 22.7 0.651
Biological yield 409453.1 166179 575633.0 0.71
1000-grain weight 10.6 1.34 11.9 0.89
Grain yield 53723.7 18352 72076.1 0.75
Harvest index NS NS NS NS
Spikelets Spike : Mean square revealed significant1
differences (p 0.05) among the winter wheat genotypes
for number of spikelets spike (Table 1). Wheat1
genotypes with long spikes tend to produce more
spikelets. Spikelets number is determined early in
developmental stage immediately after leaf origination.
The obtained results are in agreement with those of
Ahmad et al. [4] and Tahir et al. [20], who also reported
significant differences for spikelets spike among wheat1
genotypes. Mean data of the genotypes for the number of
spikelets spike ranged from 19.3 to 22.1 (Table 2).1
The minimum spikelets spike was recorded for1
INTRADA while OK98G508W produced maximum plant
height. Genetic and environmental and phenotypic
variances along with heritability for spikelets spike are1
given in (Table 3). Genetic and environmental variances
for spikelets spike were 0.7 and 0.27, respectively. The1
resultant heritability for spikelets spike was 0.72. Our1
results for heritability were in contrast with the findings of
Mohammad et al. [16], who observed low heritability for
spiklets spike .1
Spike Length (cm): Genotypes revealed significant
differences (P 0.05) among winter wheat genotypes for
spike length (Table 1). Breeders tend to develop wheat
genotypes with longer spikes because grain yield can be
enhanced through spike length selection [13]. Spike
length is a basic yield component and selection made on
the basis of spike length may bring considerable
improvement in grain yield. Mean data for spike length
ranged from 9.2 and 11.5cm (Table 2). The minimum spike
length was produced for INTRADA while OK98G508W
produced maximum spike length. Genetic and
environmental and phenotypic variances along with
heritability for spike length are given in (Table 3). Genetic
and environmental variances for spike length were 0.3 and
0.21, respectively. The resultant heritability for spikelets
spike was 0.62. These results are in line with the1
previous findings of Haq et al. [11], who also indicated
high degree of heritability for spike length.

4. Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 15 (2): 205-209, 2015
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Grains Spike : Analysis of variance showed significant (Table 2).The minimum 1000 grains weight was produced1
(P 0.05) differences among winter wheat genotypes for by OK00421 while genotype 99212 produced maximum
grains spike (Table 1). Grains spike is considered to 1000 grains weight. Genetic and environmental and1 1
be the most important yield components in wheat. Mean phenotypic variances along with heritability for 1000-grain
data of the genotypes for grain spike ranged between 50 weight are given in Table 3. Genetic and environmental1
and 62.4 (Table 2). The minimum grain spikes was variances for 1000-grain weight were 10.6 and 1.34,1
produced by OK00421, while the maximum was recorded respectively. The resultant heritability for 1000-grain
for OK00618W. Genetic and environmental and weight was 0.89. High heritability for biological yield was
phenotypic variances along with heritability for grain also reported by Gupta and Verma [9].
spike are given in Table 3. Genetic and environmental1
variances for grain spike were 14.9 and 7.85, Grain Yield: Analysis of variance showed significant1
respectively. The resultant heritability for grain spike (P 0.05) differences among the winter wheat genotypes1
was 0.65. Our results for heritability are contrary with the for grain yield (Table 1). Mean data showed that
findings of Wajid et al. [22], who argued low heritability grain yield ranged from 816.3 to 1611.1kg ha (Table 2).
for grains spike . The minimum yield was produced by OK9561656 while1
Biological Yield: Genotypes showed significant environmental and phenotypic variances along with
differences (P 0.05) among winter wheat genotypes for heritability for grain yield are given in Table 3. Genetic and
biological yield (Table 1). Consequently, it provides an environmental variances for grain yield were 53723.7 and
opportunity for selection. The most integrative parameter 18352, respectively. The resultant heritability for grain
of wheat plant is biomass. Previous improvements in yield was 0.75. Our conclusions showed agreement with
wheat breeding have been accredited to increase in the work of Akdamar et al. [6], who also computed high
harvest index but with little increase in biomass [17]. heritability for grain yield.
Grain yield, however, is associated with larger above soil
dry matter at maturity [15]. Mean data showed that Harvest Index: Mean squares revealed non-significant
biological yield ranged from 7178 to 9038 kg ha (Table (P 0.05) differences among the winter wheat1
2). The minimum biological yield was produced by genotypes for harvest index (Table 1). Mean data
OK9561656 while OK00608W produced maximum showed that harvest index among the genotypes ranged
biological yield. Genetic and environmental and between 0.12 and 0.18. The minimum harvest index was
phenotypic variances along with heritability for biological produced by OK9561656 while INTRADA produced
yield are given in (Table 3). Genetic and environmental maximum grain yield (Table 2). Genetic and environmental
variances for biological yield were 409453.1 and 166179, and phenotypic variances along with heritability for
respectively. The resultant heritability for biological yield harvest index are given in (Table 3). Genetic and
was 0.71. Similar results were also obtained by Gufta and environmental variances for harvest index were 2.0
Verma [21] and Ahmad et al. [4]. and 21.19, respectively. The resultant heritability for
1000-grain Weight (g): Analysis of variance revealed for harvest index was also observed by Gupta and Verma
highly significant differences (p 0.05) among the winter [9].
wheat genotypes for 1000-grain weight (Table 1). Grain
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