Estimation of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

is high yielder and wider adaptability of the staple food for a large part of the world population including Ethiopia. Although the productivity of wheat has increased in the last few years in Ethiopia, it is still very low as compared to other wheat producing countries mainly due to biotic and abiotic factors. Therefore, in this study conducted on genetic variability in grain yield and yield related characters of 49 bread wheat genotypes. An experiment was undertaken at two locations viz; Holetta and Kulumsa Agricultural research center in Ethiopia in 2016/17 cropping season. The materials were evaluated in the simple lattice design with two replications. Data on yield and yield component were collected and analyzed using SAS version 9.3 software. Results revealed that very high estimates of heritability across locations were obtained in the case of days to heading (95.66%), plant height (90.74%) and grain filling period (85.21%). High heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance as a percent of means were noted for days to heading, Plant height, grain filling period and spike length. So, it concluded that this trait may be considered as the selection criteria for the improvement of grain yield. However, further study needs to be conducted the future bread wheat breeding effort should be focus on varietal development.