THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS IN WHEAT BREEDING UNDER IRRIGATION AND DROUGHT STRESS

Kandic V., D. Dodig, M. Jovic, B. Nikolic and S. Prodanovic (2009): The importance of physiological traits in wheat breeding under irrigation and drought stress- Genetika, Vol. 4 1, No. 1, 11 - 20. The correlation analysis and the path coefficient analysis were applied to wheat data set with the objective to determine the effect of five physiological traits (early vigour, early maturity, leaf senescence, flag leaf area and total biomass per plant) on grain yield under irrigation and drought stress conditions. The data set consisted of 100 divergent genotypes tested in four-year field trials. Highly significant correlations were found between grain yield, early vigour and total biomass per plant in both treatments. A highly negative correlation was detected between grain yield and days to flowering, as well as, between grain yield and leaf senescence in both treatments. The path analysis revealed a highly significant direct effect of days to anthesis and total biomass per plant on grain yield. Early vigour, leaf senescence and the flag leaf area had a significant indirect effect on grain yield via days to anthesis and total biomass per plant. Early vigour, early maturity and leaf senescence were found to be suitable for wheat breeding under different moisture regimes. These traits can be evaluated quickly and easily, and thus they can be used for the evaluation of large populations.