Correlation and path analysis in yield and yield components in spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under irrigated condition in Southern India.

Twelve elite bread wheat genotypes comprising of six lines (females) and six testers (males) were crossed in an L × T fashion to study correlation between yield and yield-components. The genotypic as well as phenotypic correlation between grain yield and other yield components such as number of tillers per plant, number of spikes per square meter, number of grains per spike, total biomass per plant, harvest index and 1000 kernel weight were highly significant. Path analysis indicated that biomass, harvest index, days to flowering and plant height imparted significant direct influence on grain yield. The remaining traits affected grain yield rather indirectly, mainly through impact on total biomass production. About 94% of the variability in the grain yield was determined by the component traits indicating the presence of perfect matching between the component traits and the grain yield; hence, can be used as selection indices for yield improvement.