Correlation Analysis of some Agronomic Traits in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes Under Salinity Stress

To study the relationship between different traits with grain yield in wheat under salinity stress, an experiment was conducted during 1999-2000 cropping season at the Roodasht Research Station of Isfahan. Forty two wheat lines and cultivars were planted in a triple rectangular lattice design. Plants were irrigated with saline water with EC = 12 dsm-1 (moderate salinity for wheat) throughout the growing season. Grain yield and 18 agronomic traits were studied. Correlation coefficients among traits and the linear stepwise regression of grain yield on the other traits were calculated. Grain filling period and number of spikes per m2 had the highest correlation with grain yield. In linear stepwise regression, grain filling period was the first trait that used in the regression model. Based on the variables that used in the stepwise regression model i. e. grain filling period, grain weight per spike, number of spikes per m2 and plant height, also using some other traits, path coefficient anlyasis was performed. Regarding to the results, grain filling period had the highest direct effect on grain yield, and indirect effects of flag leaf area duration and peduncle length via grain filling period were high and positive. Also number of spikes per m2 and number of kernels per spike had relatively high direct effects on grain yield. Finally, grain filling period, number of spikes per m2 and number of kernels per spike were the most effective traits on grain yield in this experiment. Genotypes Roshan, Barekat, DH2-390-1563 F3 Chds/5/Anza/3/Pi/Hys/4/ 1-66-75, Pishtaz, 1-66-22/Inia, 1-67-78/5/Cnn/Knakoy//Kc 66/3/Skp35/4/Vee"s" and Shiraz that produced about 4 tonha-1 of grain yield were determined as superior genotypes.