| Genetic variability for different physical characters
in wheat kernels S. C. ANAND, H. S. AULAKH and R. P. JAIN1) Introduction Quality of wheat is an important consideration which determines its use in any one of the several kinds of products made from it. Hard wheats which are high in protein are used for bread making, whereas soft low protein wheats are good for making cakes and cookies. Kernel texture is related to specific gravity of the grains which is associated with milling quality (SHOLLENBERGER and COLEMAN 1926). Similarly, the hardness and test weight of the grains are other important factors which may affect the flour return. Although evironmental conditions have been found to alter the quality characters of wheat kernels, considerable varietal differences have also been observed.2) Little information is avialable in the literature regarding the specific gravity and hardness of wheat kernels. The present investigation was undertaken to study the extent of genetic variability present for various kernel characters and determine the extent of correlation between them. To include diverse wheat stocks, strains from India, Mexico, U.S.A., Australia and Canada were included in the present study. Material and Methods Eighty strains comprising of important varieties and other strains from diverse source origin were picked from the wheat collection maintained at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. These were planted in a randomized block design with 4 replications. Each strain was represented in every block by two rows 3 meter long. The experiment was conducted at Ludhiana during the winter season of 1967-68. The entire row was harvested at maturity and the grain yield was recorded in grams. The test weight was determined for 1000 kernel weight. The specific gravity of the kernels was determined as weight of 1000 kernels in gm/volume of water displaced by them in ml. Kernel hardness was measured with the help of Hardness Tester, manufactured by Kiya Seisakusho Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. The data were analysed by analysis of variance. Heritability estimates in broad sense, genetic advance and correlation coefficients were calculated in the usual manner. |
| 1) Wheat Breeder and Research Assistants, respectively, Punjab Agricultural
University, Ludhiana, India. 2) From Wheat Flour Institute, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. 1965. |
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