WHEAT BREEDING IN WATER STRESSED ENVIRONMENT VI. INTER-RELATIONSHIPS OF MORPHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS WITH GRAIN YIELD

Abstract

Inter-relationships of morpho-pysiological traits with grain yield of seven bread wheat genotypes were examined in the field trials through the study of correlation and regression analyses. Under terminal stress, highly significant positive correlations of grain yield with all the traits except veg- etative tillers and top root ratio at maturity, were observed. Top root ratio at maturity showed negative nonsignificant relationship with grain yield under both pre and post anthesis stress. Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that harvest index accounted for 97% and 88% variation in grain yield under terminal and post anthesis tress. It concluded that harvest index is more important in regulating stress yield.