Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes for yield and its contributing traits

Fifty-seven bread wheat genotypes were evaluated for genetic variability, correlation and path analysis to identify the traits associated with grain yield. The experimental material was sown in Randomized Block Design in three replications at Research area of Wheat & Barley Section, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, CCS HAU, Hisar situated during Rabi, 2015-16. The analysis of variance revealed the presence of significant genetic variability for all the characters under study. High heritability along with high genetic advance as percent of the mean was recorded for grains/spike, grain yield/plot (g), number of effective tillers per meter, spike length (cm), biological yield per plot (g/plot) and harvest index (%). Correlation analysis explained that grain yield per plot had a significant and positive correlation with the number of effective tillers/meter, spike length (cm), number of spikelets/spike, number of grains/spikes, 1000-grain weight (g), biological yield/ plot (g) and harvest index (%). Harvest index, spike length, days to heading and 1000-grain weight (g) were found directly correlated with grain yield (g/plot). Path analysis showed that harvest index and biological yield had positive effect on grain yield followed direct effect of spike length, days to 50% heading and 1000-grain weight thereby indicated that these were main contributors to the grain yield. So breeders should concentrate on these traits for improving grain yield per plant in wheat breeding program.