| Significance of genotype x environment interaction
in breeding of spring wheats (Triticum aestivum L). I. Plant height
and peduncle length parameters. A.J. MALK and M.M. RAJPUR. Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Sind Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan. Plant growth environment, a complex combination of soil, water and crop management factors, play a significant role in the physiological and other metabolic process taking place in plants for dry matter production (EBERHART & RUSSELL 1966 ; FREEMAN & PERKINS 1971 ; BOROJEVIC & WILLIAMS 1982). It is therefore desirable to determine the optimum level of growth environmental factors. As such, the present studies were undertaken to ascertain the behaviour of plant height and peduncle length traits under changing soil fertility conditions. Materials and Methods Eight promising wheat varieties (Triticum aestivum L.) were grown under four fertilizer levels with different combinations of nitrogen (N) and phosphate (P) i.e. F1=Control (6) lb. N+0 lbs P)). F2=100 lbs. N+50 lbs P. F3=125 lbs N+75 lbs P. F4=150 lbs. N+75 lbs P. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The data thus recorded in centimeters, was subjected to analysis of variance test and least significant differences (LSD) were observed, as described by STEEL & TORRIE (1960). Results and Discussion As it could be seen from the table the fertilizer application significantly increased the plant height in comparison with the control. Although, the difference in plant height was non significant among the various fertilizer treatments. This however, indicated that fertilizer application significantly increase plant height, but fertilizer doses have no significant difference among each other. The examination of data further revealed that the maximum and minimum plant height of 121.31 cms, and 85.48 cms, were recorded for wheat varieties V1286 and Yacora respectively. The remaining six varieties fall between this range. The order of plant height, on variatal basis, was found to be V1286 > V1362 > Sandal > LU26 > V1266 > pawon > Pari73 > Yakora. So far, as, the peduncle length is concerned, the treatments did not affect this trait at any fertility level. However, the comparison of varieties indicated significant differences for peduncle length. The order of increase in peduncle length was found to be V1286 > pavon, V1362, LU26, Sandal > V1266 > Yakora and Pari73. The variation observed in peduncle length, reflect the genotypic differences among the Varieties. Although, the characters plant height and peduncle length are not yield components, yet, these carry great influence over the manifestation of plant yield. As such, these are considered as very important segments of growing plant and are worth to be included in the studies for evolving high yielding wheat varieties. Also the results suggest that the genotypes interact with environments for character manifestation which should express its fullest only in a spicific ecological niche and peak. The results presented here are in agreement with those reported by TAN et al. (1979). TROUGHTAN (1970), FREEMAN et al. (1971) and KALTSIKES & LARTER (1970). Literature Cited BOROJEVIC, S. & W.A. WILLIAMS, 1982. Crop Sci : (22) : 1020-1025. EBERHART, S.A. & W.A. RUSSELL, 1969. Crop Sci. 6 : 36-40. FREEMAN, G.H. & J.M. PERKINS, 1971. Heredity. 27 : 15-23. KALTSIKES, P.J. & E.N. LARTER, 1970. Euphytica 19 : 236-242. TROUGHTAN, A, 1970. Euphytica 19 : 382-389. WAI-KOON TAN, GEOK-YONG TAN and P.D. WALTON 1979. Crop Sci : 19 : 393-396. |