Identification of Yield Components as Selection Criteria Under Water Stress Conditions in Triticale

The study was undertaken to estimate heritability, genetic advance, phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation, correlation coefficients, direct and indirect effects by path analysis for grain yield and its components in triticale under rainfed conditions. Heritability estimates were high (>60%) for grain yield, plant height, days to maturity, grains per spike and 1000 grain weight. Grain yield, grains per spike and 1000 grain weight also showed high genetic advance. Grain yield showed significant positive correlation with plant height, spike length, grains per spike, 1000 grain weight and harvest index but significant negative correlation with days to maturity. Path analysis indicated that grains per spike had maximum direct effect upon yield followed by plant height and 1000 grain weight. Spike length contributed to grain yield via grains per spike. It was concluded that grain yield in triticale under rainfed conditions may be improved by selection of early maturing, tall genotypes having longer spikes with bold and more grains per spike.