Diallel analysis of four agronomic traits in common wheat

The common wheat cultivars Aköz, Florence, Mentana, Jaral, and Siete Cerros were crossed in 1972 in all possible combinations excluding reciprocals. In 1972--1973 the F1 hybrids and the five parents were field grown at Bornova in randomized complete blocks. The characters studied were plant height, spike length, 1000-kernel weight, and plant yield. The analysis of data showed that (a) with respect to plant height and 1000-kernel weight all F1 combinations deviated from the corresponding midparental values, (b) for the same characters the GCA variances were significant and the GCA divided by SCA ratios high, (c) the characters' plant height, spike length, and 1000-kernel weight were probably controlled by two effective factors each, and (d) plant height had the highest and 1000-kernel weight the lowest heritability (h2=0.66 and h2=0.26, respectively). It was concluded that a desired response to selection could be expected for plant height and 1000-kernel weight.