Genetic variability and cluster analysis of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes in foot hill of Nepal

Abstract

To study the variability in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes and to identify the superior genotypes for yield and yield attributing traits, a field experiment was conducted during November 2017 to April 2018 at Kamalamai-04, Phant, of Sindhuli district, Nepal. Thirty wheat genotypes were experimented in Alpha lattice design with 3 replications. Observations for Days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, spike length, peduncle length, flag leaf area, no. of spikes/m², no of grains/spike, weight of kernel/spike, thousand kernel weight, grain yield and biological yield were recorded and analysis was done at 0.05 probability level. High broad sense heritability associated with high genetic advance over mean was observed for the traits, grain yield (90%, 57.52%), peduncle length (93%, 52.58%), plant height (88%, 34%), number of grains/spike (83%, 39.76%), thousand kernel weight (80%, 36.75%), kernel weight/spike (77%, 51.76%) and number of spikes/m² (77%, 39.16%) which indicated the predominance of additive genes action in controlling the expression of these traits. UPGMA dendrogram grouped thirty genotypes into distinct five clusters. Genotypes of cluster II can be utilized for development of superior cultivar through breeding program. Among all genotypes NL 1336 was highest grain yielder with thousand kernel weight, number of grains/spike and kernel weight/spike higher than local check WK 1204. Therefore, genotypes NL 1336, BL 4837, WK 2884 and BL 4833 can be utilized in breeding program as parents for improvement of wheat lines and development of high yielding wheat variety.