GENETIC-VARIABILITY IN PHYSIOMORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS IN WHEAT

Genetic variability studies were conducted in 66 wheat (T. aestivum L.) varieties for 18 physiomorphological characters, with genetic parameters such as genetic coefficient of variation, heritability estimates and genetic advance. The studies were undertaken to characterize the variability and their inter-relationship on grain yield and on physiomorphological characters, plot yield exhibited higher variability but productivity and harvest index exhibited moderate to low variability. Selection of varieties for breeding programs should be based on the characters which show high genetic variability, to get maximum gains in the coming generations.