Genetic Variability of Zinc Efficiency in Some Iranian Spring Wheat Varieties

One of the plant breeding strategies for increasing zinc content of wheat grain is employing natural genetic variability of this trait. To investigate genetic variation of traits related to zinc efficiency among Iranian spring wheat cultivars and determining the relationship between these traits and grain yield and its components, two separate experiments were conducted based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications. One of the experiments was under zinc foliar application condition and the other lacked the mentioned condition. Analysis of variance was performed based on combined analysis. Results of stepwise regression, correlation and path analysis indicated independence of endosperm zinc content and embryo and aleuron zinc content from grain yield and its components with any direct or indirect significant effects. Results of combined analysis determined that there was not considerable genetic variability about traits related to zinc efficiency among examined wheat varieties and heritability of these traits was low. Therefore crossing and selection among these spring varities is not enough efficient for promotion of grain zinc content and it would be nessecary to crossing between these variteis and other zinc efficient landraces, cultivars or wild relatives.