Genetic Characterization of Advance Bread Wheat Lines for Yield and Stripe Rust Resistance

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) isa prominent grain crop. The goal of the current experiment was toexamine the genetic potential of advanced bread wheat genotypes foryield and stripe rust resistance. Ninety-three bread wheat genotypesincluding three varieties (Kohat-2017, Pakistan-2013, and Morocco)were field tested in augmented design as observational nurseries atthree locations (i.e., Kohat, Nowshera, and Peshawar) during the 2018-19crop season. Various parameters related to yield and stripe rust resistanceshowed significant differences among genotypes for most of the characterswith few exceptions. The analysis of variance revealed significantvariations for all the genotypes for all the traits at all three siteswith few exceptions where nonsignificant differences were noticedamong genotypes. Averaged over three locations, genotypes exhibitingmaximum desirable values for yield and yield components were KT-86(325 tillers) for tillers m(-2), KT-50 (2.86 g) forgrain weight spike(-1), KT-49 (41.6 g) for 1000-grainweight, KT-50 (74 grains) for grains spikes(-1), KT-55(4.76 g) for spike weight, and KT-36 and KT-072 (4586 kg ha(-1)) for grain yield. Correlation analysis revealed that grain yieldhad a significant positive correlation with grain spike(-1) and grain weight spike(-1) at Kohat, with grainsspike(-1), tillers m(-2), and grainweight spike(-1) at Nowshera, and with plant height,spike weight, 1000-grain weight, and tillers m(-2) at Peshawar. Molecular marker data and host response in the fieldat the adult stage revealed that Yr15 and Yr10 are both still effective in providing adequate resistanceto wheat against prevalent races of stripe rust. Four lines showingdesirable lower average coefficient of infection (ACI) values withoutcarrying Yr15 and Yr10 genes showthe presence of unique/new resistance gene(s) in the genetic compositionof these four lines. Genotype KT-072 (4586 kg ha(-1) and 1.3 ACI), KT-07 (4416 kg ha(-1) and 4.3 ACI),KT-10 (4346 kg ha(-1) and 1.0 ACI), and KT-62 (4338kg ha(-1) and 2.7 ACI) showed maximum values for grainyield and low desirable ACI values, and these lines could be recommendedfor general cultivation after procedural requirements of variety release.