Early generation selection in 2 wheat crosses 1. F₂ single plant selection

Abstract

In an analysis of 2 wheat crosses, it was shown that yield components had higher heritabilities than grain yield per plant. Single F₂ plant selection for grain number per spikelet and per ear increased the yield per plant in the F₃. Although selection for weight per grain improved this component in the F₃, in one cross there was a decrease in the yield per plant, resulting from a substantial reduction in grain number per ear. Selection for yield per plant did not give any appreciable response.

Keywords:

• wheat
• yield
• genetics
• heritability
• selection