Application of Multivariate Statistical Methods in Grouping Selection of Wheat Inbred Lines Under Rain-fed Condition

In order to primary select high yielding and adapted wheat lines for rainfed conditions, 165 inbred lines of wheat with four controls were examined in a 13 × 13 square lattice design with two replications in the agricultural research station Zanjan university in 2011- 12. Days to tillering, days to stem elongation, days to booting, days to heading, days to anthesis, plant height, awn length, 1000- grain weight, grain yield, biomass and harvest index were evaluated. The result showed that the lines have significant differences. The results of cluster analysis by Ward method, categorized lines into three distinct groups. The results of principal component analysis and biplat have relatively large computability with the grouping of lines, too. This grouping was relatively consistent with grouping of cluster analysis. According to the results of grouping and importance of traits in drought resistance and yield under stress conditions, third group lines that were early lines with very favorable yield characteristics, tall and earlyness as the best lines among the 169 lines is introduced and using these lines is recommended for future breeding programs.