Study of some spike characteristics in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

In this paper was analyzed genetic and phenotypic variability of the spike length and number of spikelets per spike. Ten winter wheat cultivars (Arsenal, KG-56, Gruza, Mironovskaya 808, Norin 10, Rana Niska, Spartanka, Sterna, Osjecanka, and Szegedi 765) originated from different selection centers and countries were selected for this study. Investigated spike characteristics depended highly by growing seasons and analyzed varieties. Average values for spike length varied from 8.1 cm to 14.5 cm, and for number of spikelets per spike varied from 20.4 to 25.8. The highest average value for spike length was observed in Mironovskaya 808 variety (14.5cm). This variety showed the lowest variability of this property with a coefficient of variation of V = 7.7%. The lowest value of spike length was found in Rana Niska (8.1cm), with a coefficient of variation of V = 14.2%. Heritability in broad sense for spike length was about 98%, and for number of spikelets per spike about 75%. Statistical analysis of variance established highly significant differences in mean values for spike length and number of spikelets per spike. Phenotypic analysis of variance indicated that ecological factors had higher impact on the expression of number of spikelets per spike, but genetic factors had higher impact on the expression of spike length.