AGROMORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF LOCAL WHEAT VARIETIES FOR VARIABILITY AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH YIELD RELATED TRAITS

Abstract

Twenty five wheat varieties were evaluated for various morphological and yield related traits. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences among the genotypes for flag leaf area, plant height, peduncle length, number of nodes per plant, Spike length, number of spikelets per spike, awn length, Number of grains per spike, yield per plant and harvest index and non-significant for number of tillers per plant. The genotypes that out performed for specific traits were Khyber-79 (flag leaf area), Local white (plant height), Pari-73 (Spike length), Pirsabak-85(awn length), Potohar-70 (spikelet per spike), SA-42 (grains per spike), Kaghan-93(1000 grains weight), harvest index (Kaghan 93) and yield per plant (Kaghan 93). Genotypes Punjab-88, Punjab-81, Indus-79, Kaghan-93 and Soghat-90 were found moderately resistant to leaf rust. Yield per plant was found to be positively associated with number of grains per spike and harvest index. The variety Kaghan-93 showed best performance for most of the yield related traits and disease resistance and is thus recommended for general cultivation.