In order to study inbreeding depression for yield and some of its associated characters in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), the present experiment was carried out performing diallel analysis following Griffing (1956) Approach. Twelve genetically diverse parents were selected and crossed in diallel fashion including reciprocals. These parents were evaluated along with their 132 F2’s and 132 F3’s in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 3 replications at the Wheat Research Unit, Dr. PDKV, Akola during Rabi 2019-20. Although not for all the characters, the direct cross AKAW-4627 × AKAW-4210-6 and reciprocal cross WB-2 × AKAW-4210-6 were found to have maximum negative significant inbreeding depression for the grain yield. The study reveals good scope for commercial exploitation among the progenies for improvement of yield levels in bread wheat in segregating generations.

Inbreeding Depression, Bread Wheat, Diallel Analysis, Griffings Approach, RBD

The population buffering benefit, which can happen in further generations due to gene segregation or occasionally because of the production of superior gene combinations, may lead to the negative inbreeding depression. Such a circumstance is advantageous in conventional breeding programmes. As an overview of all the results it is evident that, among 132 crosses, the direct cross AKAW-4627 × AKAW-4210-6 and reciprocal cross WB-2 × AKAW-4210-6 have maximum negative significant inbreeding depression for the grain yield which is more desirable. The direct cross AKAW-4627 × MACS-6222 and reciprocal cross K-307 × AKAW-5017 were seen to have negative desirable ID for most of the yield related traits but not grain yield. All the above crosses can be used in the wheat breeding programme based on the breeder’s preference.

Aditi R. Rajane, N.R. Potdukhe, S.V. Sai Prasad, S.J. Gahukar, B.D. Gite and Pallavi R. Sasane (2022). Inbreeding Depression Study in F2 and F3 Segregating Generations of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivm L.). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 161-164.