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Estimates of Genetic Effects of Heading Date, Plant Height, and Grain Yield in Durum Wheat¹

A weighted least squares analysis of parental, F₁, bulk F₂ and F₃, B₁C, and B₂C means was used to estimate genetic effects of plant height, heading date, and grain yield in four crosses of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.). F₃ lines from randomly harvested F₂ plants from each cross were included in replicated tests in three of four environments.

The F₁ hybrids exceeded their high-yielding parents by an average of about 25% in grain yield; expression of heterosis, however, varied widely among the environments. Heterosis was of less magnitude in the expression of plant height and heading date.

Dominance genetic effects were relatively more important than additive effects () in the inheritance of grain yield. Additive genetic effects predominated in the expression of plant height and heading date. Epistatic effects were detected in some crosses when analyzed in individual environments, but these effects were not detected for grain yield and heading date when data were combined over all environments.

Some F₃ lines from all crosses were not significantly different from their corresponding F₁'s in grain yield and more desirable than the F₁'s in heading date (earlier) and plant height (shorter).

Key Words: Heterosis • Dominance • Epistasis

² Rockefeller Foundation Fellow (now Agricultural Investigator, CIMMYT, Mexico 6, D.F.); Associate Professor of Agronomy, North Dakota State University; and Research Agronomist, PSRD, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, Md. 20705.

Received for publication December 16, 1971.