Genetic Response for Grain Yield Through Component Trait Selection Under Diverse Environments in Durum Wheat

The genetic response for grain yield through component trait selection under diverse environments was studied in two durum wheat crosses i.e. PDW 277/Jairaj and PDW 278/Aconchi 89. The resultant F₃ progenies from these crosses were evaluated under four sets of environmental conditions i.e. timely-timely-, timely-late, late-late and late-timely. Four selection schemes viz. selection for spikes per plant, grain number per spike, 100-grain weight and visual selection were operative in each environment. The study indicated that response to selection was more effective under timely-timely and late-late conditions and selection conducted visually seemed to be the most appropriate criteria. In addition, visual selection generated a correlated response in other traits under all four sets of environments.