Division of Plant Physiology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-12
‘Gigas’ wheat lines obtained from Dr. Atsmon offer great potentialities in the improvement of grain production. Morphologically these look different from the local cultivars. These lines have restricted tibering 2–3 in Oligoeulm and one or zero in Uiniculm types, the ears in them are long and compact type respectively. Spikelet number is between 22–24 and the grain number ranged between 110–120. The leaves are thick and long and the diameter of the culm is almost twice then local cultivars. Inspite of the ‘gigas’ features these line do not require extra nitrogen, however these types were sensitive to grain setting under low nitrogen level. Leaves of Uniculm types show severe necrosis and poor grain size. Grain colour in both the types needs further improvement.
