Genetic Studies for Yield and Component Traits in Wheat (T. aestivum L.) Lines under Sodic Soils

An experiment was carried out during rabi 2010–11 with 108 exotic and indigenous wheat lines at research farm of ND University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (UP), India to assess the genetic variability for yield and yield related traits under sodic soils condition. All the genotypes were evaluated for the eleven traits. All the data recorded were averaged and analyzed following the Federer, 1956 method. Genetic variability was statistically found for all the eleven traits. Maximum variations were observed among the entries for plant height with coefficient of variation 10.68% while minimum variability was found for productive tillers per plant. The entry HD 3027 required minimum days for 50% flowering while entries PBW 621 and NW 1014 showed early maturity. Minimum plant height was observed for entry NW 4082 while maximum number of productive tillers possess by entry KRL 229. One entry AMERY characterized by longest spike and entry KRL 99 had maximum spike weight per plant. The entries NW 1014 and NW(S) 6–5 provided maximum number of grain per spike while entry K 0808 possess highest 1000-grain weight. Maximum biological yield per plant and harvest index was exhibited by entries RAJ 4201 and NW 4091 respectively. The entry KHARCHIA 65 is mainly characterized by having maximum grain yield per plant. High genetic variability present in investigated wheat genotypes indicated scope for improvement in yield and yield components.