Impact of biparental mating on correlation coefficients in bread wheat

Phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients and path-coefficients were studied in the biparental (BIPs) and F3 self progenies of the two wheat crosses. A comparison of correlation coefficients in the BIPs and the F3's revealed that as many as twelve new significant correlations were noticed in case of the BIPs in cross I although some of them occurred in the undesirable direction. On the other hand, only three new correlations were observed in the BIPs of cross II, although as many as fifteen correlations were not significant. Results suggested that intermating in the F2 was effective in breaking the linkages. Path-coefficient analysis further revealed that the direct effect of tillers/ plant on grain yield was important and remained unchanged in both populations of cross I. In cross II, the direct effect of tillers/plants on grain yield was also high and it increased in the BIPs. Intermating seemed to have influenced considerably both the direct and indirect effects.