Author/Authors :
PARVEEN, LATAFAT Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University - Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Pakistan , KHALIL, IFTHEKHAR HUSSAIN Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University - Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Pakistan
Abstract :
Periodic evaluation of cultivars allows researchers to evaluate genetic variation and progress made in various traits. Determining genetic gain or lack can lead researchers to develop new strategies for trait improvements. A two-year study was initiated in 2004 to examine the changes in agronomic performance of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars released in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) over the past 42 years. The experiment was laid out in RCB Design in NWFP at five locations during 2004-05 and 2005-06, consisting of 13 spring wheat cultivars viz., Dirk, Khushal-69, Tarnab-73, Pak-81, Sarhad-82, Barani-83, Pirsabak-85, Khyber- 87, Inqilab-91, Bakhtawar-92, Nowshera-96, Fakhr-e-Sarhad and Saleem-2000. Linear regression of cultivar means on year of release showed a decrease of -0.40 cm yr-1 in plant height, 0.05 spikelets yr-1 in spikelets spike-1, 0.27 grains yr-1 in grains spike-1 and an increase of 31.43 kg ha-1 yr-1 in grain yield since 1958. Therefore, we can conclude from this study that no evidence of a decline has occurred in the improvement of most agronomic traits and that breeders should be able to continue improving these traits by introgressing favorable alleles.
