Selection indices for yield improvement in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The discriminant-function technique was used to construct selection indices in 48 genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Sixty-three selection indices involving grain yield per plant and its five components were constructed using the discriminant function technique. The efficiency of selection increased with the inclusion of more characters in the selection index. The index based on four characters viz., grain yield per plant, the number of grains per main spike, grain weight per main spike and biological yield per plant recorded the highest genetic gain and relative efficiency. The use of these indices is advocated for selecting high yielding genotypes of bread wheat.