Genetic gain and morpho-physiological characterisation of BILs (Backcross inbred lines) under different moisture regimes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Drought stress is one of the major yield limiting factors in realising the full genetic potential of wheat. In the present study, backcross inbred line population derived from GW322*2/ HI1500 was characterized for different morphophysiological traits and grain yield under rainfed and irrigated conditions. Principal component analysis revealed that first five components explained over 66.35 per cent of variation. Grain yield showed significant correlation with biomass and physiological traits viz., NDVI2, NDVI3, NDVI5, CT2, CT3 and CT4. The analysis of variance on grain yield data showed that mean squares of environments, genotypes and GEI were highly significant (p<0.01). To determine effects of GEI on grain yield, data were subjected to AMMI and GGE biplot analysis, which identified BILs G20, G2, G254, G214, G44 and G64 as the most stable and high yielding. Based on Smith selection index expected genetic gain for grain yield at 5% was 131.01gm/plot. Hence, selecting genotypes based on morpho-physiological traits will be rewarding under moisture depleting environment.