Genetic and phenotypic variability of spike length and plant height in wheat

Abstract

The genetic and phenotypic variability for plant height and spike length were analyzed in ten winter wheat cultivars from different selection centers. The experiment was performed in randomized block design in five replications on the experimental field in two years. A total number of 50 plants have been analyzed in the full maturity stage. Average estimated values of plant height and spike length differed significantly among years and among cultivars. The highest average value for plant height established at Ljubičevka cultivar (89cm), and the lowest average plant height established at Zagrepčanka (64.0cm). Higher values are established in the second year than in the first year of investigation (69.1cm, 63.9cm, respectively). The variation coefficient of plant height for all examined cultivars and years varied from 2.7% to 6.1%. The highest average value for spike length showed Ljubičevka (9.8cm), and the lowest Slavonija (7.0cm). All investigated cultivars had higher average value of spike length in the second year (8.8cm) than in the first year (7.7cm). The variation coefficient of spike length for all examined cultivars and years varied from 5.3% (Jugoslavija) to 8.7% (Baranjka). The highest influence on plant height expression had genetic factors (66.16%), but lower impact belonged to environmental factors (26.75%), and only 3.31% belonged to genetic/environment interaction. Spike length expression also highly depended to genetic factors (52.60%), but on this trait expression the environmental factors had higher influence (40.26%) than on plant height.