Association analysis studies in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under timely sown irrigated condition

The present investigation was conducted on twenty-six wheat genotypes during the rabi season of 2024 at BTC College of Agriculture and Research Station, Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), to assess genetic variability, correlation, and path coefficient analysis. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for most of the studied traits, including days to maturity, plant height (cm), effective tillers per plant, spike length (cm), spike weight (g), total spikelet’s per spike, peduncle length (cm), biological yield per plot (kg), grain yield per plot (kg), harvest index (%), and 1000-grain weight (g). Genetic parameters indicated low to moderate GCV and PCV values for grain yield, biological yield, and spike length, reflecting environmental influence on these traits. However, high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a percentage of mean for biological yield and grain yield suggested predominance of additive gene action and minimal environmental effects, making these traits suitable for selection. Correlation analysis revealed a strong, positive, and significant association of grain yield with days to heading, effective tillers per plant, spike length, total spikelet’s per spike, biological yield, harvest index, and 1000-grain weight. Path analysis further highlighted that biological yield, harvest index, plant height, and spike weight exerted positive direct effects on grain yield, supported by indirect contributions through other characters. Based on mean performance, genotypes HI8853(d), MACS4146(d), and HI8854(d) outperformed the checks HI8713(d), GW322, HI8737(d), and MACS6768 in grain yield and associated traits. These superior genotypes should be advanced for further screening trials.