Estimates of genetic variability and heritability of the important characters in crosses of winter and spring wheats triticum aestivum l. em thell

The estimates of genetic variability and heritability for traits influencing earliness and grain yield in crosses of winter and spring wheat cultivars were compared to provide information to plant breeders. More genetic variability was observed for the traits measured in segregating populations resulting from crosses between winter and spring type wheats in contrast to spring × spring or winter × winter crosses. The one exception was plant height where more genetic variability resulted from spring × spring crosses. Narrow sense heritability estimates were high for time and duration of heading, anthesis, grain filling and physiological maturity and for plant height. Smaller values were noted for rate of grain filling, kernel number, harvest index, tiller number, kernel weight, whole plant dry weight and grain yield. Estimates of the coefficient of heritability and the parent-offspring correlation coefficient were similar in magnitude except for the traits grain yield, tiller number, kernel weight and whole plant dry weight where large variations due to the environment were encountered.