Evaluation of Agronomic Characteristics of Synthetic Wheat Genotypes

Utilization of genetic variability in different levels of wheat gene pool as a rich reservoir of useful traits has been recently come in to consideration. Synthetic wheats are used as a bridge for transferring of desirable genes from wild relatives. One hundred synthetic wheat genotypes from CIMMYT present in the Cereal Research Department collection were evaluated along with three checks (Pishgam, Pishtaz and Moghan-3) for different traits in an observation experiment during 2009-2010 cropping season at Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran. Each genotype was planted in two lines of 1m long. The checks were repeated between the rows, every 20 genotypes. Descriptive analysis of data showed presence of a vast genetic variability among the genotypes for the recorded traits. Stepwise regression analysis showed that grain no. per spike and biological yield had positive and significant effects on yield and remained in the final model with adj. R2~70%. Cluster analysis using ward method grouped the synthetics in seven groups. Based on field evaluations and data analysis 15 synthetic wheats were selected for further evaluation. The results indicated that synthetic wheats are valuable genetic materials as a source of new variability to be added into wheat gene pool.