Prediction of Varietal Replacement in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Nine wheat genotypes, viz., K-508, K-17, K-818, RAJ4037, RAJ3404, K-8903, DBW-14, K-9357 and HD-2967 were evaluated in a randomized block design on nine parameters, viz., tillering ability, plant height, grain yield per plant, peduncle length, spikelets per spike, flag leaf area, thousand grain weight, days to maturity and grains per spike at experimental farm of BRD PG College, Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, India with objective of recommending suitable plant types to farmers of this region. Normalized cumulative ranks (NCR) were used as criteria for selecting suitable plant types. Small flag leaf and early maturity were the criteria of selection (left directional selection) and remaining seven characters were selected for higher values (right directional selection). The suitability order of varieties/genotypes, as per NCR values was DBW-14, HD-2967, K-508, RAJ-4037, K-818, RAJ-3404, K-17, K-9357 and K-8903. The top four varieties, namely DBW-14, HD-2967, K-508 and RAJ-4037 could be recommended for cultivation in this region. When all nine characters were selected for higher values, the suitability order came as HD2967, RAJ4037, DBW-14 and K-9357. High positive correlations were observed between peduncle length and test weight (0.831) and plant height and days to maturity (0.652). When peduncle length, test weight, plant height and days to maturity were made criteria of selection, the suitability order was DBW-14, K-818, HD-2967 and RAJ-3404. HD-2967 is the standard check variety and popular in this region. Therefore, a few of these selected/recommended varieties would give close fight to HD-2967 and might replace it eventually.