Summary
Harvest index was studied in F1 and F2 generations of eight wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crosses and their reciprocals. The parental varieties involved in the crosses represented a fairly wide range of character expression for plant height, tillering potential, grain yield per plant and harvest index. Differences between reciprocal crosses were not evident for the expression of harvest index of the crosses under study. Means and degrees of dominance of F1 and F2 populations suggested partial dominance of high harvest index over low harvest index. The pattern of variation among F2 segregates was quantitative and the distribution was normal. The gene action governing the expression of harvest index was largely additive. Evidence was obtained for non-additive gene action in some crosses. There was complete absence of high parent heterosis for harvest index in the F1's but midparent heterosis was found to be present in all crosses. Estimates of heritability and genetic advance were moderate to high. Usefulness of selecting for harvest index as a measure of yield efficiency particularly in early generations is discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allard, R. W., 1960. Principles of plant breeding. John Wiley & Sons. Inc., N.Y.
Burton, G. W., 1951. Quantitative inheritance in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum). Agron. J. 43: 409–417.
Dobben, W. H. van, 1962. Influence of temperature and light conditions on dry matter distribution rate of development, and yield in arable crops. Neth. J. agric. Sci. 10: 377–389.
Donald, C. M., 1962. In search of yield. J. Aust. Inst. agric. Sci. 28: 171–178.
Engledow, F. L. & S. M. Wadham, 1923. Investigations on yield in cereals I. J. agric. Sci. 13: 390–439.
Gamble, E. E., 1962. Gene effects in corn (Zea mays L.). III. Relative stability of the gene effects in different environments. Can. J. Pl. Sci. 42: 628–634.
Ikehashi, H., & R. Ito 1971. Statistical property of the selection by the plant type index given by quotient of two traits. Jap. J. Breed. 21: 106–113.
Nichiporovich, A. A., 1960. Photosynthesis and the theory of obtaining high crop yields. In: Fifteenth Timirjazev Lecture. U.S.S.R. Acad. Sci. (Translation and review by J. N. Black & D. J. Batson). Field Crop Abstr. 13: 169–175.
Romero, G. E., & K. J. Frey, 1973. Inheritance of semidwarfness in several wheat crosses. Crop Sci. 13: 334–337.
Rosielle, A. A. & K. J. Frey, 1975. Estimates of selection parameters associated with harvest index in oat lines derived from a bulk population. Euphytica 24: 121–131.
Shebeski, L. H. & L. E. Evans, 1973. Early-generation selection for wide-range adaptability in the breeding program. Proc. 4th. int. Wheat Genet. Symp. Columbia, Missouri: 587–593.
Sims, H. J., 1963. Changes in the hay production and harvest index of Australian oat varieties. Austr. J. exp. Agric. Anim. Husb. 3: 198–202.
Singh, I. D. & N. C. Stoskpf, 1971. Harvest index in cereals Agron. J. 63: 224–226.
Tsunoda, S., 1959. A developmenta. analysis of yielding ability in varieties of field crops. I. Leaf area per plant and leaf area ratio. Jap. J. Breed. 9: 161–168.
Vogel, O. A., R. E. Allan & C. J. Peterson, 1963. Plant performance characteristics of semi-dwarf winter wheats producing most efficiently in eastern Washington. Agron. J. 55: 397–398.
Wallace, D. H., J. L. Ozbun, & H. M. Munger, 1972. Physiological genetics of crop yield. Adv. Agron. 24: 97–146.
Watson, D. J., C. M. Thorne & S. A. W. French, 1958. Physiological causes of differences in grain yield between varieties of barley. Ann. Bot. 22: 321–352.
Watson, D. J., C. M. Thorne & S. A. W. French, 1963. Analysis of growth and yield of winter and spring wheats. Ann. Bot. 27: 1–22.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bhatt, G.M. Variation of harvest index in several wheat crosses. Euphytica 25, 41–50 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00041527
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00041527