Phenotypic and Molecular Analyses Reveal Targets for Yield and Quality Improvement in Bread Wheat | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Agronomy | ||||
| Volume 47, Issue 3, September 2025, Page 663-686 PDF (1.61 MB) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/agro.2025.381313.1682 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
Antar El-Banna   1; Ismael Khatab2; Rasha Abdel Aziz3; Mahmoud Ibrahim El-Emery3
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| 1Genetics department, Faculty of Agriculture ,Kafrelsheikh University , 33516, Kafr el sheikh, | ||||
| 2Genetics Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt. | ||||
| 3Seed Technology Research Department, Field Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Wheat breeding relies on genetic diversity and heritability to develop high-yielding, stress-tolerant varieties. Combining ability studies help optimize grain quality and climate resilience by analyzing additive and non-additive genetic effects. our study evaluates genetic variation in grain yield and quality traits among six bread wheat cultivars (Giza 171, Misr 1, Sids 13, Misr 2, Sakha 94, Gemmeiza 11) under Mediterranean conditions in Egypt’s north Delta over three growing seasons (2015–2018). Using a line × tester mating design, nine F1 crosses were generated. Data were recorded on agronomic traits (grain yield, 1000-kernel weight, protein content, gluten quality) and molecular traits (SSR markers: Dx5, Xpsp1, Xcn15) analyzed. Parents and their F1 hybrids were assessed in a randomized complete block design with four replications, followed by evaluation of the F2 generation (Giza 171 × Misr 2) and its parental lines. Results revealed significant heterosis, with Misr 1 × Sakha 94 achieving the highest grain yield (62.93 g/plant). Combining ability analysis indicated additive and non-additive gene effects for key traits, identifying Giza 171 and Misr 1 as superior general combiners for yield and protein content. The F2 population exhibited moderate to high broad-sense heritability (51.7–99.1%) and genetic advance, with phenotypic variances significantly exceeding environmental variances. Molecular analysis confirmed genetic divergence between high- and low-protein F2 individuals, clustering high-protein progeny with the parent Misr 2. Significant correlations emerged between yield, 1000-kernel weight, and gluten content. This approach highlights the potential of targeted crosses to enhance yield and quality in wheat breeding programs | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Bread wheat; combining ability; heterosis; heritability; SSR markers | ||||
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