Inheritance of Plant Height and Other Characters in a Semi-Dwarf x Tall Hard Red Winter Wheat Population

Knowledge of the progress to be expected by applying selection pressure to a segregating population is essential in planning an effective breeding program. The rate of selection and also the most efficient procedure of selection depend upon the number of genetic factors involved, the magnitude of their effects, and mode of action. The study conducted was designed to evaluate these factors as expressed in two generations of winter wheat crosses for seven plant and seed characters that might be of value for selection purposes. Of special interest was the inheritance of plant height. Understanding the mode of inheritance in this study could facilitate the development of superior varieties. Plant height appeared to be controlled by three pairs of genes and maturity was explained by a single dominant factor for earliness. Short plant height was found to correlate with low kernel weight, short spike length, early maturity, low grain yield, fewer rachis internodes, and fewer tillers. The inferences drawn from this study are limited, and cannot be considered to be the general relationship of these characters as they might be associated following crosses of different plant material. Advisor: John W. Schmidt