Correlations and Path Coefficient Analysis in Durum Wheat

Abstract

Three generations (F2 , B1 and B2) of two crosses between durum wheat varieties viz. (Leeds X Waha) and (Azeghar X Omrabi), were used to estimate: (1) phenotypic and additive genotypic correlations between grain yield and its components and among components; (2) Direct and indirect effects of each of yield components on grain yield through path coefficient analysis; (3) the relative importance of components contributing to grain yield. The results showed that phenotypic and additive genotypic correlations in the two crosses were: (1) positive and significant between grain yield and its components (number of spikes, 100 grain weight and number of grains per spike). (3) negative and significant between the components. The value of determination coefficient as percent indicated that the contributing to grain yield were number of spikes, 100 grain weight and their joint effects, therefore, can be used as selection index in the program of wheat breeding.