Selection indices for grain yield improvement in durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.]

The plant breeder has certain desired characteristics in his mind while selecting for particular genotypes and this he/she applies various weight to different traits arriving at decisions. This suggests the use of a selection index that gives proper each two or more characters be considered. Among forty durum wheat thirty-one indices, involving grain yield per four contributing components, were constructed using discriminant function technique. superiority based on increases with an increase number under selection. five viz., plant, days maturity, height, biological harvest exhibited maximum relative efficiency efficiency. might interested genetic gain minimum characters. character was observed comprised maturity height (X3 + X4) followed by X4 ).