GENETIC VARIABILITY, CHARACTER ASSOCIATION AND PATH ANALYSIS FOR SEED YIELD AND ITS COMPONENT CHARACTERS IN WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L) UNDER RAINFED ENVIRONMENT

Genetic variability, characters association and path analysis between grain yield and its contributing characters were studied using sixteen genotypes of wheat under rainfed conditions. Highly significant differences among genotypes for all the characters were observed. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation coupled with high heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean were reported for grain yield, biological yield, days to 50% flowering, spikelets per spike, effective tillers per plant and days to maturity indicating predominance of additive gene effects in controlling these characters. Seed yield had significant and positive correlation with days to maturity, plant height, effective tillers/plant, 1000-grain weight and biological yield. Path coefficient analysis revealed positive direct effect of days to 50 % flowering, plant height, spike length, number of seeds per spike, biological yield and harvest index on seed yield. These characters were considered as most important for selection and improvement of seed yield in rainfed wheat breeding programme.