Abstract
Enhancing wheat productivity and quality is essential for ensuring food security in Pakistan, where wheat serves as the primary staple crop. Identifying high-performing genotypes adapted to specific agro-ecological zones is critical for sustaining yield under changing climatic conditions. Therefore, systematic evaluation of wheat genetic resources is required to support targeted genotype recommendations and improved crop management strategies. This study assessed the agronomic and quality performance of thirty wheat genotypes under the environmental conditions of South Punjab (Dera Ghazi Khan). The experiment was conducted during the 2018 Rabi season at the Research Field of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ghazi University, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data was recorded for days to 50% anthesis, tillers per plant, plant height (cm), spikelets per spike, 1000-grain weight (g), grain yield per spike (g), grain moisture content (%), crude protein content (%), and total ash content(%). ANOVA revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for all traits except spike length. Mean comparison indicated that genotype GU-9 exhibited the longest duration to anthesis (121 days) and the highest 1000-grain weight (76.8 g), while genotype KASUK produced the most tillers per plant. The tallest plants (140.2 cm) were recorded for genotype SUP152/BA, and the longest spikes (13.56 cm) were observed in GU-8. The highest total ash content (11.31%) was found in GU-5, whereas GU-6 exhibited the highest crude protein content (14.87%). Maximum moisture content (22.94%) occurred in genotype TACUPETO. Grain yield showed a significant positive genotypic correlation with plant height, spike length, 1000-grain weight, and spikelets per spike. At the phenotypic level, days to 50% anthesis, tillers per plant, spikelets per spike, moisture content, protein content, and ash content were all significantly and positively correlated with grain yield. These findings highlight substantial genetic variability among wheat genotypes and identify several promising candidates for cultivation under the agro-climatic conditions of South Punjab.
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