Use of Genotype by Yield*Trait (GYT) Analysis to Select Hard Red Spring Wheat with Elevated Performance for Agronomic and Disease Resistance Traits
Lance F. Merrick, Karl D. Glover, Dalitso Yabwalo, Emmanuel Byamukama
Abstract
Elevating resistance levels to bacterial leaf streak (BLS), caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. translucens (Jones, Johnson, & Reddy) and Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe (telomorph Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch) are major objectives of several hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.; HRSW) breeding programs situated in the northern Great Plains of the USA. High grain yield significantly contributes to the success of HRSW cultivars. Other traits, such as disease resistance, are most useful when accompanied by high grain yield in a single genotype. The genotype by yield-trait (GYT) analysis method aids in selecting genotypes with elevated performance levels for traits of consideration in the presence of high grain yield. Replicated yield trial data was subjected to GYT analysis to demonstrate its utility for selecting HRSW genotypes for use as parents and further consideration toward cultivar release. Genotype selections were identified based on overall performance while strong and weak characteristics were also investigated. Several genotypes were selected for potential use as parents while three were chosen for further cultivar release consideration. Performance levels associated with two of the three candidate cultivars were greater than average for all traits considered.