Study of genetic determinism of harvest index in durum wheat (<i>Triticum durum</i> Desf) under semi-arid conditions

Abstract

Out of six varieties of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.), two local varieties with a low harvest index and four others with high harvest indices and short straw imported from France were studied in a diallel cross. The experiment was done in a complete randomized block design with three replications. It was done at the Research Station of the Institute of Technical Big Cultures of Khemis Miliana, located in the semi-arid high Chelif Valley in Algeria. Before spikes emerged from the grains of the six varieties, we did a complete diallel hybridization between them. This resulted in 30 crosses. The heterosis that appeared in F₂ of the harvest index in some hybrids is because the genotypes vary. Nefer variety located close to the parabola shows there is no transgression in character. The effects of additive are confirmed by the Hayman analysis in the harvest index. The most promising breeding stocks that can be used to improve the harvest index of durum varieties are Guem Goum Erkham, Hedba3 and Excalibur.

Key words: Genetic determinism, Triticum durum Desf, harvest index.