Effects of morphological traits and yield componenets on grain and protein yield in durum wheat (Triticum durum L.) cultivars

ABSTRACT: Impact of different attributes on grain and protein yield of durum wheat were assessed using twenty genotypes. Randomized complete block design with three replications was used in this research. Relationship among measured traits were assessed by Pearsonʹs correlation coefficient and factor analysis. Correlation analysis showed the significant reltaion of grain and protein yield with all the traits except correlation of grain filling duration and peduncle length with grain yield as well as spike yield and peduncle length with protein yield. Factor analysis based on principal component analysis method and varimax rotation indicated that four important factors accounted for about 95 percent of the total variation among traits studied. The first factor assigned 46 percent of total variation between traits and was significantly related with traits grain yield, biological yield, protein yield and protein percentage. This factor was regarded as quantitative and qualitative yield improvement factor. Other factors accounted for 19, 17 and 13 percent of variation between traits so were entitled as spike yield, grain filling ability and photosynthesis reservoir enhancement factors, respectively. In conclusion, results revealed effect of grain filling rate, biological yield, no.grain/spike, spike yield and protein percentage on grain and protein yield. Hence, these traits are recommended as indirect selection criteria for genetic improvement of grain yield especially in early generations.