Path coefficient analysis of the components of grain yield in wheat (<i>Triticum aestum l</i>)

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching and Research Farm, Bauchi (100 17'N, 90 49'E, 609 m above sea level) during the 2004 and 2005 harmattan season, to study the relationship between total yield of wheat and some characters with the aim of identifying those characters that could be used in improving the total yield in wheat. The treatment combinations in this study were five nitrogen rates (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100kgw/ha) and five levels of urban wastes (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 tonnes/ha), which were factorially combined and laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Yield and yield components data obtained from the response of wheat to some agronomic practices were correlated and path coefficient was computed. The results showed that the total yield of wheat was found to be strongly correlated with total dry matter, 1000-grain weight and ear length in both years. Within the yield components, there was a highly significant correlation (P=0.01) between total dry matter and 1000-grain weight, between total dry matter and ear length and between 1000-grain weight and ear length in both years. Path coefficient analysis indicated that total dry matter made the largest direct contribution of 98.80% in 2004, while 1000-grain weight made the largest direct contribution of 64.00% in 2005. The combined contribution of total dry matter and 1000-grain weight of 22.41% and 31.64% in 2004 and 2005, respectively, were however highest in both years. The total contributions (direct and combined) were found to be 95.00% and 95.83% in 2004 and 2005, respectively. The results of this study indicated the utility of total dry matter and 1000-grain weight as predictor variables in determining the relationship between grain yield and its related traits in wheat.

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (4) 2006: pp. 336-340