ABSTRACT Genetic variability is the main basis of improvement in crops. An experiment comprising fifteen old and new wheat varieties was planted in randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Farm of NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar during crop season, 2003-2004. Data were recorded on yield and some other morphological traits. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out and means were separated using the least significance difference test. Correlation coefficients were also determined. Analysis of variance revealed that the varieties differed significantly for days to 50% heading, days to 50% anthesis, plant height and grain yield ha -1 . However, differences were non-significant for physiological maturity, biological yield and harvest index. Days to 50% anthesis showed significantly positive correlations with days to 50% heading, days to maturity and grain yield. Grain yield also exhibited significantly positive correlation with biological yield

Ali Hassnain

Ali Shah

Iqbal Munir

Shahid Ali

Syed Mehar

Zamarud Shah

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Sarhad J. Agric. Vol. 23, No. 4, 2007 
 
 
 
*  Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar- Pakistan  
**  Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering N.W.F.P Agricultural University Peshawar - Pakistan 
 
GENOTYPIC VARIATION FOR YIELD AND  
MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS IN WHEAT 
                                     
Shahid Ali*, Syed Mehar Ali Shah*, Ali Hassnain*, Zamarud Shah*,  
and Iqbal Munir**  
ABSTRACT 
Genetic variability is the main basis of improvement in crops. An experiment comprising fifteen old and new wheat varieties 
was planted in randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Farm of NWFP 
Agricultural University, Peshawar during crop season, 2003-2004. Data were recorded on yield and some other 
morphological traits. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out and means were separated using the least significance 
difference test. Correlation coefficients were also determined. Analysis of variance revealed that the varieties differed 
significantly for days to 50% heading, days to 50% anthesis, plant height and grain yield ha-1. However, differences were 
non-significant for physiological maturity, biological yield and harvest index. Days to 50% anthesis showed significantly 
positive correlations with days to 50% heading, days to maturity and grain yield. Grain yield also exhibited significantly 
positive correlation with biological yield. 
 
Keywords: Genetic Variability, Morphological traits, Triticum aestivum L., Wheat Genotypes 
 
INTRODUCTION 
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most important 
cereal of the world. It is planted on an area of more 
than 20 million hectare with a total grain 
production of 550 million tones (Food and 
Agricultural Organization, 2003-04). Wheat is the 
main staple food of the people of Pakistan and the 
largest grain crop of the country. It contributes 
12.5% to the value added agriculture and 3.1% to 
GDP. It is grown on an area of about 8.07% million 
hectares with a total grain production of 19.2 
million tones and an average yield of 2.4 thousand 
kg ha-1. In NWFP, it is grown on 0.73 million 
hectares with the grain production of 1.06 million 
tones (Agricultural Statistics of Pakistan, 2003-04). 
 
Despite extensive research over the last few 
decades, the country has yet to achieve the goal of 
self sufficiency. Further the rapid increase in 
population also demands an increase in the food 
production. Development of new varieties with 
desirable yield and associated traits offers best 
solution to the problems of low productivity. 
Genetic variability exists for various yield and 
yield related traits in wheat (Swati et al., 1997). 
Also there exists relationship of various yield 
related traits with grain yield (Tiwari and Rawat, 
1993). The objective of this research was to find 
out genetic variation for yield and morphological 
traits among the locally adapted wheat varieties.  
 
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
The research was carried out at the Agricultural 
Research Farm of NWFP Agricultural University 
Peshawar during 2003-04. Fifteen old and new 
wheat varieties included in the study were C-306, 
LY-73, Nacozari-76, Chackwal-86, Faisalabad-83, 
Faisalabad-85, Pirsabak-91, Nowshera-96, UP-262, 
Rawal-97, Fakhr-e-Sarhad, ARZ, WL-711, 
Saleem-2K and Pavon-76. Randomized complete 
block design was used with three replications. 
Each variety was planted in four rows plot. The 
row length was 4 m and row to row space of 25 cm 
were maintained thus making plot size of 4 m2. 
Recommended doses of nitrogenous and 
phosphatic fertilizers were applied. Standard 
agronomic practices were carried out during the 
growing season. Days to 50% heading of each plot 
were counted from date of sowing up to emergence 
of 50% spike and exposure of peduncle node. Days 
to 50% anthesis were counted from date of sowing 
till 50% plants in plot completed anthesis of each 
plot. Days to maturity of each plot were counted 
for each genotype from the date of sowing to the 
date of maturity. Plant height was measured in 
centimeters from ground level to the highest plant 
tip excluding awns of 10 randomly selected plants 
of two central rows in each plot. The bundle weight 
of each plot was taken with the help of a spring 
balance. The grain yield of each plot after harvest 
was recorded with the help of an electronic balance 
and then the data for this trait was converted in to 
grain yield ha-1. Harvest index (%) was determined 
by dividing grain yield on bundle weight and then 
by multiplying with hundred. 
 
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 
Days to 50% Heading 
Highly significant differences (P<0.01) were 
observed among genotypes for days to 50% 
heading (Table-I). Mean data showed that days to 
50% heading ranged from 103-114 days. The 
variety ARZ showed minimum days (103 days) to 
50% heading, whereas Rawal-87 and Fakhr-e-
Sarhad took maximum (114 days) days to heading 
(Table-II). Days to 50% heading showed 
significantly positive correlations with days to 50% 
anthesis and grain yield. Correlations of days to 
50% heading with other traits were non-significant 
(Table-III). The result of our study confirms the 
Shahid Ali et al. Genotypic variation for yield and morphological traits in wheat… 
 
944 
findings of Mohammad et al. (2004), Ihsanullah 
and Mohammad (2001) and Qureshi et al. (1977).  
 
Days to 50% Anthesis 
Highly significant differences (P<0.01) were 
observed among the varieties for days to 50% 
anthesis (Table-I). Mean data showed that days to 
50% anthesis ranged from 110-122 days. Minimum 
days to 50% anthesis (110) were recorded for 
varieties ARZ and maximum (122) for Pavon-76 
(Table-II). Correlations of days to 50% anthesis 
with days to 50% heading, days to physiological 
maturity and grain yield were significantly positive. 
Days to 50% anthesis showed non-significant 
correlations with all other traits (Table-III). Belay 
et al. (1993) reported similar results. 
 
Days to Physiological Maturity 
Non-significant differences (P>0.05) were 
observed among the varieties for days to 
physiological maturity (Table-I). Mean data 
showed that days to physiological maturity ranged 
between 73 and 109 days. Nacozari took minimum 
(73) days to physiological maturity whereas LY-73 
took maximum (109) days to maturity (Table-II). 
Correlations of physiological maturity with days to 
50% anthesis and biological yield were 
significantly positive whereas non-significant with 
all other traits (Table-III). These observations are in 
conformity to the findings of Mohammad et al. 
(2004) and Mohammad (1999). 
 
Plant Height 
Varieties showed significant differences (P<0.05) 
for plant height (Table-I). Mean data showed that 
data for plant height ranged from 134-145 cm. 
Faisalabad-85 exhibited minimum (134 cm) plant 
height and Nacozari gave maximum (145) plant 
height (Table-II). These observations are in 
conformity to the findings of Mohammad et al. 
(2004) and Dautani et al. (1997). Significantly 
positive correlation of plant height was observed 
with harvest index. Plant height showed non-
significant correlations with all other traits (Table-
III). These findings in this study are in line with te 
results of Hanna et al. (1997) and Shah et al. 
(2003). 
Biological Yield 
Mean square showed non-significant differences 
(p>0.05) among the genotypes for biological yield 
(Table-I). Biological yield ranged among the 
genotypes from 2.2 to 4.6 kg. The minimum (2.2 
kg) value was recorded for Pavon-76 whereas 
Rawal-87 gave maximum (4.6 kg) value for this 
trait (Table-II). Biological yield showed 
significantly positive correlations with grain yield 
and days to physiological maturity (Table-III). 
Baisakh and Nayak (1991), Nedel (1994) and 
Tiwari and Rawat (1993) also reported similar 
results.      
 
Grain Yield  
Mean square revealed significant differences 
(P<0.05) among genotypes for grain yield (Table-
I). Grain yield ranged among the genotypes 
between 526 kg for Pavon-76 and 1927 kg for UP-
262 (Table-II). Significantly positive correlations 
of grain yield with days to 50% heading, days to 
50% anthesis and biological yield were observed in 
the present study (Table-III). The average yield of 
all the varieties is low due to the application of less 
water. The above results are in confirmation with 
the findings of Baisakh and Nayak (1991), Nedel 
(1994) and Tiwari and Rawat (1993). 
 
Harvest Index 
Mean square revealed non-significant differences 
(P>0.05) among genotypes for harvest index 
(Table-I). Harvest index ranged among genotypes 
from 9.8 to 27.6. Minimum (9.8) value of harvest 
index was recorded for WL-711 whereas maximum 
value (27.6) was recorded for Nacozari-76 (Table-
I). Harvest index showed significantly positive 
correlations with plant height and grain yield 
(Table-III). Results in this study are contradictory 
to the findings of Singh and Sharma (1994), which 
might be due to the differences in genetic material 
and environment.           
 
CONCLUSION            
UP-262 showed superiority for grain yield and its 
potential for selection can be utilized in breeding 
programs. 
Table I:     Mean square for days to 50% heading (DH), days to 50% anthesis (DA),physiological maturity 
(DPM), plant height (PH), biological yield (BY), grain yield (GY), and harvest index (HI) of fifteen wheat 
genotypes during 2003- 04, Peshawar. 
 
S.O.V DF DH DA DPM PH BY GY HI 
Replication 2 8.07 5.4 0.022 13.4 0.3 73303865 50.9 
Genotypes 14 25.9** 21.9** 13.9NS 128* 0.5NS 150954* 16.3NS 
Error 28 8.8 3.9 7.02 63.1 40.6 73070 40.6 
NS   =     Non-Significant  
*, ** =     significant at p<0.05 and P< 0.01 levels respectiv ly. 
 
 
Sarhad J. Agric. Vol. 23, No. 4, 2007 
 
 
945 
Table II.      Mean value for days to 50% heading (DH), days to 50% anthesis (DA), days to physiological 
maturity (DPM), plant height (PH) cm, biological yield (BY) kg, grain yield (GY) kg, and harvest index (HI) of 
fifteen wheat genotypes during 2003-04, Peshawar.  
Entries DH DA DPM PH(cm) BY(kg) GY(kg) HI 
C-306 109bcd 117c 86 141de 3.7 1393bcd 18 
LY-73 107def 111fg 109 144ab 4.0 1365bcd 17 
Nacozari 104gh 113e 73 145a 3.0 1659ab 27.6 
Chakwal-86 110bc 119b 69 139f 3.5 1366bcd 19.5 
Faisalabad-83 111b 118bc 87 137g 3.5 1394bcd 20 
Faisalabad-85 105fgh 111fg 87 134h 3.6 954de 13.2 
Pirsabak-91 108cde 115d 83 140ef 3.6 1108cd 15.0 
Nowshehra-96 105fgh 113e 90 142d 4.3 1889a 22 
UP-262 105fgh 112ef 102 137g 4.5 1927a 21.4 
Rawal-87 114a 121ef 96 142cd 4.6 1603ab 17.4 
Fakhr-e-Sarhad 114a 117c 100 143bc 4.0 1670ab 21 
ARZ 103h 110g 95 136g 3.5 1678ab 24 
WL-711 106efg 112ef 89 137g 3.25 1637ab 9.8 
Saleem-2K 106efg 113e 83 140f 3.2 1543abc 24.1 
Pavon-76 114a 122a 82 142ef 2.2 526e 12 
LSD 5 2.2 - 13.3 - 475 - 
Means with same letters are not significantly different. 
 
Table III.     Correlation coefficients among days to 50% heading (DH), plant height (PH), days to 50% 
anthesis (DA), days to physiological maturity (DPM), biological yield (BY), grain yield (GY), and harvest index 
(HI) of fifteen wheat genotypes  during 2003-04, Peshawar. 
 DH PH DA DPM BY GY HI 
DH - 0.008 0.90** 0.32 0.037 0.38* 0.32 
PH - - 0.31 0.004 0.01 0.09 0.72** 
DA - - - 0.62** 0.17 0.78** 0.22 
DPM - - - - 0.61* 0.32 0.081 
BY - - - - - 0.63* 0.18 
GY - - - - - - 0.60* 
*, ** =     significant at p<0.05 and P< 0.01 levels respectiv ly 
 
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