Plant Genetic Research
Scientific Journal

Investigation of Gene Action and Inheritance of Phenological and Agronomic Traits in Wheat under Normal and Water Deficit Stress Conditions Using Mean and Variance Analysis of Generations

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Saeed Bagherikia 1
Habibollah Soughi 1
Manoochehr Khodarahmi 2

1 Horticulture Crops Research Department, Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Gorgan, Iran

2 Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, AREEO, Karaj, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/pgr.2025.2070164.1016
Abstract
Gene function and trait heritability can vary with environmental changes, refelecting the complex interaction between genotype and environment. This study aimed to assess the genetic parameters affecting phenological and agronomic traits of bread wheat through mean and variance analysis of six basic generations derived from the Arman × Kalateh crosses under normal and water-deficit stress conditions, during the 2020-2021 cropping season. The results confirmed the presence of considerable genetic variation among the progenies of Arman and Kalateh, providing a suitable foundation for identifying and utilizing favorable alleles to improve agronomic and physiological traits. Analysis of genetic control models showed that key traits such as grain filling duration, 100-kernel weight, and grain yield displayed different inheritance patterns under normal and water deficit conditions, highlighting the complex role of genotype × environment interaction. Under both environmental conditions, generation mean and variance analyses indicated that, for most traits including number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, number of spikes per plant, days to anthesis, grain filling duration, 100-kernel weight, and grain yield, non-additive genetic effects, particularly dominance and epistasis, were more prominent than additive effects. Moreover, the low narrow-sense heritability of these traits emphasized the necessity of selection in later generations. Accordingly, breeding strategies based on post-segregation selection, such as pedigree or bulk-pedigree methods, can be effective in improving these traits. In contrast, plant height and peduncle length were mainly controlled by additive gene effects, with no evidence of epistasis, and exhibited relatively high narrow-sense heritability, under both environmental conditions. These characteristics allow for early selection and rapid genetic improvement in initial generations. The findings highlight the importance of genotype × environment interactions and provide valuable genetic diversity for improving agronomic traits of bread wheat in the climatic conditions of northern Iran.

Keywords

Epistasis
Genetic variation
Gene action
Genetic model
Heritability
Subjects
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Plant Genetic Research
Volume 12, Issue 1
June 2025
Pages 37-52

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