Genetic divergence among Wheat breeding lines for production traits

Development of superior genotypes is one of the prime objective of all plant breeding programmes. To investigate genetic divergence and traits association among yield and yield associated traits, an experiment was conducted at New Developmental Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar during 2013-2014. Twenty wheat genotypes was planted in randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications under rainfed condition. Data was recorded on days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, tillers m^sup -2^, grains spike^sup -1^, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield. Significant differences were observed among wheat genotypes for days to heading, maturity and plant height, whereas non-significant differences were observed for rest of the traits. Maximum values for days to heading (94 days), days to maturity (167 days), plant height (96.3 cm) were recorded for genotypes KT-338. Maximum values for tillers m^sup -2^ (187) was recorded for genotype NRL-1009, grains spike^sup -1^ (54) for genotype PS-21, 1000-grain weight (59.3 g) for genotype NRL-1130, and grain yield (3500 kg ha^sup -1^) for genotype PS-20. The grain yield had significant positive correlation with days to maturity, tillers m^sup -2^, and 1000-grain weight, showing that these traits could be considered in devising selection criteria for improvement in grain yield. PS-20 and NRL-1130 out yielded the check cultivars and can be recommended for further use in different breeding program.