Multivariate Analysis for Evaluation of Mutant Bread Wheat Lines Using Metric Traits

Abstract

An assessment of genetic variation within diverse germplasm is needed to allow more efficient genetic improvement. The study assessed genetic divergence in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Principal component analysis was applied to explore major modes of joint variability in yield and yield contributing traits. A multivariate approach was used to investigate the correlations between yield and yield contributing traits. The experiment was planted M₄ mutant lines from Marvi, and Sassui varieties were sown along with two check varieties viz. NIA-Amber and NIA-Saarangat Nuclear Institute of Agriculture, Tandojam during the rabi season 2014-15. following randomized complete block design with three replications. This study has shown considerable genetic variation among the genotypes considered, which may help further selection and breeding. Parents may be selected from clusters with significant genetic distances for crossing to obtain genetic recombination and transgressive segregation in the subsequent generations. However, further study across locations and years needs to be done to corroborate the results obtained in the present investigation.