The Outbreeding Enhancement and Correlation Studies in F₁Hybrids of Hexaploid Wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i>L.) Cultivars

The current study was conducted in the experimental field of the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Life Science, University of Development Alternative, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the winter season 2017-2018. The study was performed to reduce the heterotic effect and phenotypic correlation among numerous yield characters for F1 hybrids of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experimental design has consisted of six parental variants (Sonalika, Balaka, Prodip, Kanchan, Agrahani and Protiva), which were crossed and nine possible cross combinations (F1 hybrids) (Prodip × Agrahani, Balaka × Agrahani, Prodip × Protiva, Protiva × Agrahani, Agrahani × Kanchan, Kanchan × Sonalika, Protiva × Prodip, Sonalika × Agrahani, and Prodip × Kanchan) were obtained. The experimental fields were selected and arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates, where eight characters were studied. The mean square of the analysis of variance showed that the hybrids differed significantly (p ≤ 0.01) for all studied characters except for maturity to 75% of days and height of the plant, while the parents only had no differences in grain yield. The mean square of the parent and the F1 hybrid indicated that considerable heterosis existed in the F1 hybrids. In general, correlation coefficients indicated that the maturity to 75% of days was significant but negatively correlated with most of the yield traits, suggesting that the genotypes which became mature early may have lower yields. Plant height was also negatively correlated with grain spike−1, seed index, and harvest index. The grain yield plant−1 was significant and positively correlated with all yield traits. Correlation indicates that single or multiple production-related ingredients can be used as selection time to select plants with higher yield traits with larger grains.