Assessment of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes under Different Sowing Dates

Twenty diverse wheat genotypes were evaluated for genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance under under three temperature conditions at the Research Farm of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra, India. The genotypes were grown in randomized block design and data were collected for various morpho-agronomic characters. Analysis of observed data showed that the mean squares due to treatments for all the traits in all environments were highly significant. GCV and PCV were the highest for canopy temperature depression, grain yield/plant and the lowest for days to anthesis. Heritability (bs) estimates were high for canopy temperature depression (CTD), followed by yield/plant, grain number /spike and 1000- grain weight, and it was the lowest for days to heading and days to anthesis in all environments. The estimates of genetic advance (GA) were highest for canopy temperature depression followed by yield/plant, grain number/ spike and it was the lowest for days to 50% flowering and days to maturity under (normal late and very late sowing dates) in both season. This study suggests that the presence of adequate genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for these traits under normal and heat stress environment is suitable for breeding programs and crop improvement.