Abstract

Sixty four wheat genotypes were tested in 8x8 simple lattice design at Ginchi, West Shewa in 2012/13 cropping season. The overall objective was to study the extent of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance. Analysis of variance revealed that there was a significant difference among the sixty four genotypes for all the characters studied. The phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) values were higher than genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) values for all the traits studied. Medium phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) were recorded for plant height, number of kernels per spike, thousand kernels weight, grain yield per plot, biomass yield per plot and harvest index. Medium phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) and low genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) values were displayed for days to heading. Low phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) values were recorded for days to maturity, spike length, number of spikelets per spike and hectoliter weight (test weight), which suggests the limitation of selection for these traits. High heritability values were observed in all the characters studied. The expected genetic advance as a percent of mean ranged from 7.4 to 25.93 9. Characters with a high genetic advance as a percent of mean allow the improvement of this character through selection.