Selection for Yield and its Components in a Winter Wheat Population under Different Environmental Conditions in Albania

Wheat breeding programmes in Albania depend upon the use of diverse genetic material of local origin and on special environmental conditions; the present study being conducted under drought stress conditions. Grain yield, yield components, plant height and test weight were estimated in an F₅ generation of a winter wheat population at Kamez in 1989—90 and 1990—91 and at Lushnje in 1989—90. The highest values of heritability were observed for plant height, kernel weight and spike length. Due to drought stress the heritability of kernels per spike was low. None of the correlated responses was higher than the direct response for yield. Maximum genetic gain was expected when yield, plant height, spike length, kernels/spike and kernel weight were included in the index.