Estimates of genetic parameters for quality of wheat cultivars grown in Lesotho.

Abstract

Lesotho has embarked on wheat (Triticum aestivum) improvement programmes that increase productivity and quality. Among these is selection of superior genotypes. A study was conducted to estimate genetic variance, heritability, dominance, correlation and prediction ratio for wheat quality characteristics of five parents, F₁ and F₂ progeny. The characteristics were break flour yield, flour protein content, mixograph development time, Sodium Dodycel Sulphate sedimentation volume, kernel weight, kernel diameter and kernel hardness. General specific combining ability ratio in F₁ progeny showed non-additive gene action in all characteristics except one. In F₂ progeny, break flour yield, flour protein content, kernel hardness and mixograph development time were controlled by non-additive gene action. Sodium Dodycel Sulphate sedimentation volume, kernel weight and kernel diameter were controlled by additive gene action. Heritability in the broad sense was high for all characteristics in F₁ and F₂ progeny, whereas heritability in the narrow sense was high for F₂ and low for F₁ progeny. Positive and negative correlations were observed among characteristics in F₁ and F₂ progeny. In F₁ progeny, kernel hardness demonstrated highest prediction ratio. In F₂ progeny, seed diameter, seed weight, Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate sedimentation volume and break flour yield revealed high prediction ratio. Genetic variability exists and can be for improvement of wheat quality in Lesotho.

Key Words: Genetic variance, heritability, Triticum aestivum