Genetic Analysis of Germination and Early Seedling Stage Traits in Bread Wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum L.)</em> Using Half Diallel Mating Desing

Ismael, Sawza Omer; Towfiq, Sherwan Ismail

doi:10.58928/ku26.17305

	Genetic Analysis of Germination and Early Seedling Stage Traits in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Using Half Diallel Mating Desing
Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)
Volume 17, Issue 3, September 2026, Pages 38-47 PDF (657.81 K)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.58928/ku26.17305
Authors
Sawza Omer Ismael^* ¹; sherwan ismail towfiq²
¹department of Biotechnology and crop Science, university of Sulaimani, iraq
²Department of Biotechnology and Crop Science, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Abstract
A half-diallel mating design was employed, crossing six diverse wheat varieties to generate 15 F1s hybrids. Both the hybrids and parents were assessed under laboratory conditions for traits including root length, shoot length, root and shoot weight, germination rate, germination speed, mean germination time, and seedling weight. Griffing's Method II, Model I, was employed to analysis the data and estimation the data in order to estimate general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA), heritability, and the average degree of dominance. This approach provides a fixed-effect analysis of genetic components. Significant genetic diversity was indicated by the analysis of variance, which showed highly significant genotypic differences for every trait. For the majority of features, the GCA impacts were very significant, demonstrating the significance of additive gene action. Parent Jihan was shown to be a good general combiner for root length 15.818mm, while Parent AR89 showed positive GCA for germination rate and germination speed 3.264 and 2.455 days, respectively. Significant SCA effects were also observed, showing the role of non-additive gene action. Crosses Sulaimani2 × Dink and Monaliza × AR89 exhibited desirable SCA for root length and germination rate (20.620mm and 3.113) and (10.174mm and 3.988), respectively. All traits had high estimates of broad-sense heritability, but estimations of narrow-sense heritability ranging from moderate to low indicated that both additive and non-additive gene effects govern these traits. The results demonstrate that selective breeding based on early seedling traits is feasible. The identification of parents with strong GCA provides a source of favorable additive genes, while specific cross combinations with high SCA offer potential for developing hybrid varieties. This genetic information is valuable for accelerating wheat breeding programs aimed at improving seedling vigor and establishment under abiotic stress conditions.
Keywords
Wheat genotypes; Germination rate; seedling treats; GCA; SCA and Heritability

References
[1]. Lunde, C., Drew, D.P., Jacobs, A.K. and Tester, M., 2007. Exclusion of Na+ via sodium ATPase (PpENA1) ensures normal growth of Physcomitrella patens under moderate salt stress. Plant physiology, 144(4), pp.1786-1796, https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.106.094946 [2]. Islam, M.S., Akhter, M.M., El Sabagh, A., Liu, L.Y., Nguyen, N.T., Ueda, A., Masaoka, Y. and Saneoka, H., 2011. Comparative studies on growth and physiological responses to saline and alkaline stresses of Foxtail millet ('Setaria italica'L.) and Proso millet ('Panicum miliaceum'L.). Australian Journal of Crop Science, 5(10), pp.1269-1277, https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/INFORMIT.746394857619200 [3]. Flowers, T.J., 2004. Improving crop salt tolerance. Journal of Experimental botany, 55(396), pp.307-319, https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erh003 [4]. Rengasamy, P., 2006. World salinization with emphasis on Australia. Journal of experimental botany, 57(5), pp.1017-1023, https://academic.oup.com/aaijournals [5]. Yassin, M., El Sabagh, A., Mekawy, A.M.M., Islam, M.S., Hossain, A., Barutcular, C., Alharby, H., Bamagoos, A., Liu, L., Ueda, A. and Saneoka, H., 2019. Comparative performance of two bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under salinity stress. Applied Ecology & Environmental Research, 17(2), http://dx.doi.org/10.15666/aeer/1702_50295041 [6]. Kizilgeci, F. and Yildirim, M., 2014, October. Determination of salinity stress resistance of wild wheat at germination stages. In Turkey 5th Seed Congress with International Participation and Sectoral Business Forum (pp. 529-533), https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=21.%09Kizilgeci%2C+F.+and+M.+Yildirim+%282014%29.+Determination+of+salinity+stress+resistance+of+wild+wheat+at+germination+stages.+Turkey+5th+Seed+Congress+with+International+Participation+and+Sectoral+Business+Forum.+&btnG=#d=gs_cit&t=1756064813684&u=%2Fscholar%3Fq%3Dinfo%3AE_9-Kw1aSfYJ%3Ascholar.google.com%2F%26output%3Dcite%26scirp%3D0%26hl%3Den [7]. Almansouri, M., Kinet, J.M. and Lutts, S., 2001. Effect of salt and osmotic stresses on germination in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.). Plant and soil, 231(2), pp.243-254, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010378409663. [8]. Oral, E., Altuner, F., Tunçtürk, R. and Tunçtürk, M., 2019. The impact of salt (NaCl) stress on germination characteristics of gibberellic acid pretreated wheat (Triticum durum Desf) seeds. Applied Ecology & Environmental Research, 17(5), http://dx.doi.org/10.15666/aeer/1705_1205712071 [9]. Kizilgeci, F., 2020. Diallel analysis of spad, yield component and nitrogen use efficiency of some bread wheat genotypes under low and high nitrogen levels. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 29(8), pp.7071-7080, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ferhat-Kizilgeci/publication/342521122_DIALLEL_ANALYSIS_OF_SPAD_YIELD_COMPONENT_AND_NITROGEN_USE_EFFICIENCY_OF_SOME_BREAD_WHEAT_GENOTYPES_UNDER_LOW_AND_HIGH_NITROGEN_LEVELS/links/5ef97b2845851550507b080b/DIALLEL-ANALYSIS-OF-SPAD-YIELD-COMPONENT-AND-NITROGEN-USE-EFFICIENCY-OF-SOME-BREAD-WHEAT-GENOTYPES-UNDER-LOW-AND-HIGH-NITROGEN-LEVELS.pdf [10]. Bhutto, T.A., Gola, A.Q., Bhutto, M.H., Wahocho, S.A., Buriro, M. and Wahocho, N.A., 2019. 63. Evaluation of wheat varieties to salt stress (NaCl) for seed germination and early seedling growth under laboratory conditions. Pure and Applied Biology (PAB), 8(1), pp.609-618, http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.700223 [11]. Almodares, A., Hadi, M.R. and Dosti, B., 2007. Effects of salt stress on germination percentage and seedling growth in sweet sorghum cultivars. Journal of Biological Sciences, 7(8),pp.1492-1495. https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/40472211/Effects_of_Salt_Stress_on_Germination_Pe20151129-18926-1s6c8r8-libre.pdf?1448805012=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DEffects_of_Salt_Stress_on_Germination_Pe.pdf&Expires=1756069067&Signature=Zft498Ux46bG1PRTPA9RRAnX8XYaaagoJCTLwdLsh9Mp9DKE8oX5gFz-1RQTACvbfFIyWa3OIperRcUOwObRB6NPgrqiQbibF7xech06MnBclH53wyGadeNRC9laZoqigz4oOFzdZJuJ9v7io4lOI3SgrHlaq8rEMA8DXkemBNW-3Fn4fGbMM~L0eAlqVQcQxwXbK7KZBgNrl~Z~j4kEbhWMzM8yS84TwYUbTpyvanHSHq-fsYxlYqflQdh7QeB~7u50a5C-m73DL6EjcoS2uGPhjmM1TbhMQLwLtOTGch-fhEvB-RpezAXIhL743nMQMe-r7LhBdOemnmSCGrvw4w__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA. [12]. Khan, M.H. and Panda, S.K., 2008. Alterations in root lipid peroxidation and antioxidative responses in two rice cultivars under NaCl-salinity stress. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 30(1), pp.81-89, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11738-007-0093-7?gt%3B [13]. Dhanda, S.S., Sethi, G.S. and Behl, R.K., 2004. Indices of drought tolerance in wheat genotypes at early stages of plant growth. Journal of agronomy and crop science, 190(1), pp.6-12, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-037X.2004.00592.x [14]. Bayoumi, T.Y., Eid, M.H. and Metwali, E.M., 2008. Application of physiological and biochemical indices as a screening technique for drought tolerance in wheat genotypes. African Journal of Biotechnology, 7(14), https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajb/article/view/58998 [15]. Baloch, M.J., Dunwell, J., Khakwani, A.A., Dennett, M., Jatoi, W.A. and Channa, S.A., 2012. Assessment of wheat cultivars for drought tolerance via osmotic stress imposed at early seedling growth stages. Journal of Agricultural Research, 50(3), pp.299-310, https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/29436/ [16]. Srividya, A., Vemireddy, L.R., Ramanarao, P.V., Sridhar, S., Jayaprada, M., Anuradha, G., Srilakshmi, B., Reddy, H.K., Hariprasad, A.S. and Siddiq, E.A., 2011. Molecular mapping of QTLs for drought related traits at seedling stage under PEG induced stress conditions in rice. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 2(2), pp.190-201, https://www.scirp.org/pdf/ajps20110200004_34856267.pdf [17]. Vardar, Y., Çifci, E.A. and Yağdı, K., 2014. Salinity effects on germination stage of bread and durum wheat cultivars. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 24(2), pp.127-139, https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.235926 [18]. IQBAL, M., 2004. Diallelic analysis of some physiomorphological traits in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L..) (Doctoral dissertation, UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN), http://repository.pastic.gov.pk/jspui/handle/123456789/9196 [19]. Das, A. and Ghosh, H., 2003. Estimation of ratio of variance components and optimal diallel cross designs, https://www.isid.ac.in/~statmath/eprints/2003/isid200310.pdf [20]. Makumbi, D., 2005. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of white maize inbreds, hybrids and synthetics under stress and non-stress environments. Texas A&M University, https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/0b160d50-4843-40b0-895f-4aacd07956c9/content [21]. Kizilgeci, F., Mokhtari, N.E.P. and Hossain, A., 2020. Growth and physiological traits of five bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes are influenced by different levels of salinity and drought stress. Fresenius Environ. Bull, 29, pp.8592-8599, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ferhat-Kizilgeci/publication/343671311_GROWTH_AND_PHYSIOLOGICAL_TRAITS_OF_FIVE_BREAD_WHEAT_TRITICUM_AESTIVUM_L_GENOTYPES_ARE_INFLUENCED_BY_DIFFERENT_LEVELS_OF_SALINITY_AND_DROUGHT_STRESS/links/5f37b8c9a6fdcccc43c9c98c/GROWTH-AND-PHYSIOLOGICAL-TRAITS-OF-FIVE-BREAD-WHEAT-TRITICUM-AESTIVUM-L-GENOTYPES-ARE-INFLUENCED-BY-DIFFERENT-LEVELS-OF-SALINITY-AND-DROUGHT-STRESS.pdf [22]. Griffing, B.R.U.C.E., 1956. Concept of general and specific combining ability in relation to diallel crossing systems. Australian journal of biological sciences, 9(4), pp.463-493, https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Griffing,+B.+(1956)+%E2%80%98Concept+of+General+and+Specific+Combining+Ability+in+Relation+to+Diallel++Crossing+Systems%E2%80%99,+Australian+Journal+of+Biological+Sciences,+9:+pp.+463-493.+&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5. [23]. Singh, R.K. and Chaudhary, B.D., 1981. Biometrical methods in quantitative genetic analysis, https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Singh%2C+R.+K.+and+Chaudhary%2C+B.+D.+%281985%29+Biometrical+Method+in+Quantitative+Genetic++Analysis.+Revised+Edition%2C+Kalyani+Publishers%2C+New-Delhi%2C+India.+&btnG=. [24]. Tawfiq, S.I., Muhammed, S.R. and Ahmed, R.M., 2018. Drought tolerance of some bread and durum wheat vareities during germination. Journal of Kerbala for Agricultural Sciences, 5(5), pp.18-29, https://doi.org/10.59658/jkas.v5i5.161. [25]. Awan, S.I., Ahmed, M.S., Farooq, J., Ahmad, S.D., Ilyas, M., Shah, A.H., Khan, M.F., Ali, S. and Hasan, L., 2011. Genetic model analysis on seedling and maturity traits in wheat under rainfed conditions. Frontiers of Agriculture in China, 5(4), pp.486-496, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11703-011-1113-3 [26]. Talebi Qormik, R., Alipour, H. and Darvishzadeh, R., 2024. Salinity stress tolerance in Iranian spring wheat cultivars during germination. Iranian Journal of Seed Research, 11(1), pp.129-143, https://doi.org/10.61186/yujs.11.1.129 [27]. Kizilgeci, F., Mokhtari, N.E.P. and Hossain, A., 2020. Growth and physiological traits of five bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes are influenced by different levels of salinity and drought stress. Fresenius Environ. Bull, 29, pp.8592-8599, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ferhat-Kizilgeci/publication/343671311_GROWTH_AND_PHYSIOLOGICAL_TRAITS_OF_FIVE_BREAD_WHEAT_TRITICUM_AESTIVUM_L_GENOTYPES_ARE_INFLUENCED_BY_DIFFERENT_LEVELS_OF_SALINITY_AND_DROUGHT_STRESS/links/5f37b8c9a6fdcccc43c9c98c/GROWTH-AND-PHYSIOLOGICAL-TRAITS-OF-FIVE-BREAD-WHEAT-TRITICUM-AESTIVUM-L-GENOTYPES-ARE-INFLUENCED-BY-DIFFERENT-LEVELS-OF-SALINITY-AND-DROUGHT-STRESS.pdf [28]. Ashadusjaman, M., Shamsuddoh, M., Alam, M.J. and Begum, M.O., 2012. Combining ability and gene action for different root characters in spring wheat. Journal of Environmental Science and Natural Resources, 5(2), pp.73-76. https://doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v5i2.14605 [29]. Najafabadi, M.F., Ghanadha, M.R., Zali, A.A. and Yazdi, S.B., 2004, September. Genetic analysis of seedling characters in bread wheat. In Proceedings of the 4th International Crop Science Congress, Brisbane, Australia (Vol. 26), http://agronomyaustraliaproceedings.org/images/sampledata/2004/poster/3/4/5/1327_fazel.pdf [30]. Khan, A.S., Sami Ul-Allah, S.U.A. and Sajjad Sadique, S.S., 2010. Genetic variability and correlation among seedling traits of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under water stress, https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/37802917/wheat_seedlings-libre.pdf?1433243490=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DGenetic_Variability_and_Correlation_amon.pdf&Expires=1756072420&Signature=LcmW0C5LSqUROutqBBENuAq7T~M3ilp31BgYQY3QiVAw2DO189-poM2mMn3v2FFqFJNvETUYxGO3EZEXyn9uLaZiRjghuLXrHbbc9iW8kfHYYvFCfr8wf4nrb5W4Zad3C0lsNVAJx92A7nYrmsxXUudjFZFDrVwUllArp7L4tsE72h6Y7iYwfe-9okOZ2jgLguaDU2Ju5ad8r-P~vbkJuO5MVDpXwdhmwvt1fbB4~dwh2rhQ79s-dI4S7mB9AQEdLLj4tvB~PrbmujxfRPek6MhYdY9HUOzvXaI~pa3lDttvaABIwhafMeRRkSYDnNBBX0ictCsN-zs4a8S4B-mK2w__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA [31]. Gulnaz, S., Khan, S.H., Shahzad, M., Ashfaq, M. and Sajjad, M., 2012. Genetic evaluation of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) germplasm for yield and seedling vigor traits. Journal of Agriculture and Social Sciences (Pakistan), 8(4), https://agris.fao.org/search/en/providers/122650/records/647369c008fd68d54606354f [32]. Hosseini, S.J., Sarvestani, Z.T. and Pirdashti, H., 2012. Responses of some rice genotypes to drought stress, https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/20123254755 [33]. El-Rawy, M.A. and Hassan, M.I., 2014. A diallel analysis of drought tolerance indices at seedling stage in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, 2(3), pp.276-288, https://doi.org/10.9787/PBB.2014.2.3.276
Statistics Article View: 64 PDF Download: 52

Genetic Analysis of Germination and Early Seedling Stage Traits in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Using Half Diallel Mating Desing