Vol. 9, Special Issue 1, Part E (2025)

The current study analyzed genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance for eleven quantitative traits in Bread Wheat. The research utilized 45 F₁ hybrids derived from crosses among ten genotypes HD2967, HD3059, HD3086, HD3226, PBW343, PBW373, PBW550, WH1105, DBW173 and DBW187 using a half-diallel mating design. The 45 crosses, along with their ten parents, were evaluated in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications during the following year. The mean sum of squares for treatments showed highly significant differences across all eleven traits studied. In this study, the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all traits, indicating a significant environmental influence on trait expression. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a percentage of mean was observed for number of productive tillers, spike length and grain yield per plant. High genetic advance was noted for number of productive tillers per plant, followed by spike length, grain yield per plant, harvest index and biological yield per plant. The findings highlight the potential of traits with high variability, heritability, and genetic advance for improving fodder yield and its contributing traits. Maintaining genetic variability remains a critical challenge for plant breeders in the quest for crop improvement.