Heritability and genetic diversity of seedling biometric traits involved in resistance to wheat black rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) disease

In order to estimate the heritability and genetic diversity of some seedling biometric traits in response to black rust (stem rust) disease, 24 wheat genotypes in the 2020 at the research greenhouse of the Seedling and Seed Breeding Research Institute was evaluated in the form of a randomized complete block design with four replications under the conditions of infection and non- infection to the native race TKTTF black rust. Based on the results, the genotype ´ disease condition interaction, was significant for all traits at the 1% probability level. Also, a significant difference between the genotypes in terms of seedling height, seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight, and seedling fresh weight to dry weight ratio was observed. The results showed that pathogen infection causes a decrease in seedling height and an increase in seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight, and seedling fresh weight to dry weight ratio due to the presence of pustules caused by disease. Under black rust infection, the highest heritability was observed for seedling dry weight (42.85%) and the lowest heritability was related to seedling height trait (8.78%). In the absence of black rust disease, the highest heritability was observed for the ratio of fresh weight to dry weight of seedlings (53.66%) and the lowest heritability was related to seedling height (51.25%). The results showed that black rust infection affects seedling traits and the diversity between genotypes can be used to improve wheat genotypes.