Genetic Variation in Agronomic Characteristics and Grain Quality Traits of Durum Wheat Genotypes

Fifty nine durum wheat genotypes obtained from the National Plant Gene Bank of Iran along with two bread wheat checks (Vee/Nac and Soissons) and two durum checks (Dena and Zardak) were evaluated for quantitative and qualitative traits in an observational experiment in 2008-2009 at Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran. Each genotype was planted in two lines 2.5 m long. The checks were repeated 14 times among the rows. Descriptive data analysis showed presence of a vast genetic variability among the genotypes for the recorded traits. For example grain yield varied between 300.5-868.5 gm-2. Correlation analysis among agronomic and grain quality traits revealed positive correlation between protein percentage and plant heigh t, length of peduncle, lodging susceptibility, Zeleny, hardness and had negative significant correlation with length of spike, thousand-kernel weight, number and weight of grains per spike. Principal component analysis reduced 13 variables to four components by 72.1% cumulative proportional variance. Results showed genotypes no. 15 (Wc-45704) and 52(P.S.No3) with good quantitative and qualitative traits such as high grain yield, low lodging susceptibility, early maturity, low number of shriveled seeds, higher protein percentage, high gluten index and SDS sedimentation, were the best genotypes among the experimental genotypes.