Genetic Analysis of Some Agronomic Traits in Two Durum Wheat Crosses under Heat Stress

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Egypt.

10.21608/jpp.2025.414739.1500

Abstract

Six populations derived from the Sohag 4 x Beni-Swif 5 and Sohag 4 x Beni-Swif 6 durum wheat hybrids were cultivated under two experimental conditions: regular sowing date and late sowing date (mimicking heat stress). This study was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Assiut branch, Egypt, over three consecutive growing seasons from 2021–2022 to 2023–2024 Some characters i.e.  plant height (PH), number of spikes per plant (NSP), number of kernels per spike (NKS), grain yield per plant (GY/P) and 100-grain weight (GW) were studied. Significant positive additive gene effects (d) were observed for DFF, PH and NKS under normal conditions for cross I, and for PH, NSP, GY/P and 100- kernels weight under heat stress for hybrid I. While positive and significant for DFF and PH, for cross II under heat stress, and negative significant for NKS and GY/P for cross II under normal condition. Moreover, positive insignificant for NSP and GY/P of the second cross under all conditions. Populations P1, F1, and BC1 (Cross 1) and P1, P2, F1, and BC2 (Cross 2) exhibited heat tolerance (HSI < 1) and high yield attributes. **** These resilient genotypes generally displayed high values for yield attributes. Notably, Sohag 4 maintained stability and outperformed other populations across both sowing dates. These findings offer significant insights for wheat breeders focused on enhancing yield potential, developing novel wheat genotypes, and improving Egyptian wheat germplasm.

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