Genotypic and phenotypic correlation and path coefficient analysis for yield and yield-related traits in advanced bread wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) lines

Information on the mutual association of traits is important for effective selection in plant-breeding program. Forty-nine advanced bread wheat lines were evaluated in western Amhara region with triple lattice design at two locations in 2018 main rainy season to evaluate the association of yield and yield-related traits and determine the direct and indirect effects of yield-related traits on grain yield. The result of analysis of variance showed significant differences among the tested genotypes for the majority of characters under study for both locations. This indicates the presence of high variability among the tested bread wheat lines. Grain yield had significant positive correlation with days to maturity, grain-filling period, plant height, kernels spike−1, hectoliter weight, thousand seed weight, biomass yield, and harvest index at both genotypic and phenotypic levels including spike length at phenotypic levels at Adet and with plant height, thousand seed weight, biomass yield and harvest index at Debre Tabor both at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Days to maturity and grain-filling period also showed significant positive phenotypic correlation with grain yield at Debre Tabor. This indicates that selection based on these traits could be more effective to maximize grain yield. Path analysis showed that biomass yield and harvest index had the highest positive genotypic and phenotypic direct effect on grain yield at both locations. This implies the true relationship between these traits and grain yield; therefore, due attention should be given on such traits during selection for further improvement.