Deciphering physiological traits response under variable sowing times and locations for grain yield consolidation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
摘要
The external factors affecting the developing crop, mostly determined by prevailing weather and appropriate agronomic practices during crucial developmental phases, are vital for grain yield consolidation. As climatic conditions evolve, enhancing wheat production through empirical selection in breeding is increasingly difficult, making physiology-based breeding more pertinent. A total of 260 advanced breeding lines (ABLs), including four checks, namely HD 3226, HDCSW18, HD 3117, and HD 2967, were tested across multiple locations and sowing times. The purpose was to identify genotypes exhibiting significant genetic diversity in physiological traits, and to determine the most discriminating environments for effective selection. The combined analysis of variance analysis revealed a greater degree of genetic variability for key physiological traits associated with radiation capture and utilisation, suggesting potential for wheat improvement through fine modulation of these traits. Physiological traits like crop growth rate (CGR) and canopy temperature depression (CTD) are significantly affected by environmental conditions, necessitating selection within the environment to achieve possible yield enhancements. The variation in grain yield (GY) and leaf area index (LAI) was mostly attributed to genotype-environment (GE) interaction; thus, a more effectively adapted genotype can be illustrated by GGE. Among the environments, late sowing conditions in Delhi (DLLS) emerged as the most discriminating for ABLs.The genotypes, namely 444 (HD2967/HD2887//HD2946//HD2733), 249 (HD2967/HD2887//HD2946/HD2733), 311 (DW1272/HP1731//43-IBWSN-1102), and 381 (HD3117/HW5207), demonstrated both high grain yield and stability across diverse locations and sowing times. Genotype selection based on grain yield (outcome of the combined effect of key traits), highlighting their potential as foundational material for future wheat improvement. The key finding is that genetic advancement in wheat improvement can be facilitated by selection based on key physiological traits such as leaf area index (LAI), canopy temperature depression (CTD), and chlorophyll content index (CCI) of the flag leaf.