Growth analysis of F1 hybrids in wheat

Growth analysis of F1 hybrid in wheat was studied at the experimental site of Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University. Four varieties of wheat included CMU 88-8, CMU 94-9, Fang 60 and Sa Moeng 2 were used as parents. F1 hybrid seeds of each single cross were developed among these parents in half diallel method during December 2001 to March 2002. F1 hybrid seeds of each single cross were planted along with their parents during December 2002 to March 2003 for studying of growth analysis and genetic performance of traits. Results of study clearly indicated that F1 hybrids of wheat gave higher average in grain yields per plant than their parents because these hybrids performed better in crop growth rate (CGR), spike growth rate (SPGR) and partitioning of assimilate to spike than their parents. For genetical study, it showed that CMU 94-9 were good in general combining ability (g.c.a.) for grain yield per plant, earliness, spikelet per spike, 100 grain weight and plant height, Fang 60 was good in general combining ability (g.c.a.) for grain yield per plant, earliness and plant height. Single cross which gave good specific combining ability (s.c.a.) for grain yield per plant included Sa Moeng 2xFang 60 and CMU 94-9xFang 60. Results of this study also revealed that earliness, plant height and spikelet number were controlled importantly by additive genes while additive and non additive genes were involved properly for seed size and grain yield per plant. This experimental results could be intersively concluded that F1 hybrids of wheat provided more promising heterotic of physiological characters especially CGR, SPGR and partitioning coefficient than their parents. So that, for improving of high yielding ability of wheat genotypes, physiological traits should be considered couple with agronomic characters as a criteria for selection.