Genetic variation and inter-relationship of some morpho-physiological traits in durum wheat (Triticum durum (L.) Desf.)

In this study which was performed with 20 durum wheat genotypes at three locations during two crop seasons. the relative large variations were observed for the characters except test weight and days to 50% flowering. the highest heritability and expected genetic advance values were estimated in plant height (92.8%-9.84) and 1000 grain weight (90.2%-5.96). the lowest value of heritability and expected genetic advance were obtained for grain yield (51.4%-0.94) and test weight (63.8%-2.41). grain yield was positive and significantly correlated with grain weight/spike,test weight,plant height,grains/spike,spikelets/spike,1000 grain weight and spike length whereas it showed negative and important correlation coefficient with days to 50% flowering. the highest direct positive effect (0.3857) on yield was computed for grain weight/spike. on the other hand,days to 50% flowering and spike length had negative direct effect on yield. although grain weight/spike should be emphasised as reliable selection criteria,grains/spike,1000 grain weight,plant height and earliness might be considered as indirect selection criterion for improvement in durum wheat yield potential.