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Recurrent Selection for Grain Yield in Durum Wheat
Author(s) -
OlmedoArcega O. B.,
Elias E. M.,
Cantrell R. G.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1995.0011183x003500030011x
Subject(s) - biology , selection (genetic algorithm) , test weight , population , yield (engineering) , grain yield , agronomy , heritability , gene–environment interaction , genetic gain , poaceae , genotype , genetic variation , zoology , genetics , materials science , demography , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science , gene , metallurgy
Considerable improvements of durum wheat ( Triticum turgidum L. var. durum ) genotypes with better yield have been achieved with different breeding methods. Because of several constraints in its application in small cereals, recurrent selection in durum wheat has not been used extensively. The objectives of this research were to evaluate two cycles of recurrent selection for grain yield and to assess effects of selection on other agronomic and yield‐component traits. Nineteen semidwarf durum wheat genotypes selected for high yield and broad genetic diversity, were intercrossed to form the base population. Fifty‐five randomly selected S 2 lines from three cycles of selection and a set of four checks were planted in two 1989 and three 1990 environments, respectively. Genotype × environment interactions were generally of magnitude rather than of rank order changes for traits evaluated and therefore a combined analysis across environments was performed. Regression analysis indicated an average increase in yield of 0.25 ± 0.03 Mg ha −1 per cycle of selection. Cycle 2 (C2) produced lines with grain yield higher than any line in Cycles 0 (C0) or 1 (Cl). Test weight and plant height increased 8.39 ± 2.01 Kg m −3 and 2.62 ± 0.3 cm per cycle, respectively. Recurrent selection for grain yield did not affect spikelets per spike and kernels per spike. Kernel weight increased 2.8 mg from C0 to C2. When calculated as a percentage of the total variance, the genetic variance of most of the evaluated traits decreased slightly. Genotype × environment variance was the most important component of variances of five of the evaluated traits. The efficiency of recurrent selection for yield was demonstrated. Indications are that recurrent selection solely for yield did not have any negative correlated response to unselected traits.