Single and Multiple Traits Selection in a Segregating Population of Wheat, Triticum aestivum L.

The breeding materials used in this study were the F₃, F₄ and F₅-generations of the cross between Giza 158 × Sonora 64 (Triticum aestivum L.). The objective of this study was to compare the relative merits of Smith-Hazel, desired gain selection indices, independent culling levels and single trait selection in improving grain yield, heading date and several agronomic traits. Highly significant differences among F₃ families and a satisfactory genotypic coefficient of variability were obtained for all the traits studied. The genotypic correlations were high between yield and each of spike weight, kernels/spike and spikes; plant, intermediate with 1000 kernel weight and very low with heading date, plant height and spike1 length-After two cycles of selection, the results of the gains realized indicated that the most effective method for improving yield was the Smith-Hazel index (SH₇) of seven traits followed by the desired gain index of seven traits (DG₇), SH₅, independent culling levels, DG₅ and direct selection (or grain yield/plant. Direct selection for heading date, plant height and spike length was the best method for improving these traits, but undesirable correlated responses in the other traits were obtained.