Genetic variability, heritability and correlation among agronomic and disease resistance traits in a diversity panel and elite breeding material of spelt wheat

Spelt wheat (Triticum spelta L.) is an old-world crop that has attracted increased attention since the 1970s accompanied by a constant increase in spelt production. Our objectives were to (i) study the genetic variability and heritability of important agronomic traits and (ii) examine the correlation among these traits for an efficient design of spelt breeding schemes. To this end, we compared a diversity panel of 150 old and new spelt varieties with current elite-breeding material. Phenotypic data were recorded at multiple locations for yield, plant height, lodging, heading time, number of spikelets, car snapping and susceptibility to powdery mildew, brown rust and Septoria tritici blotch. We observed highly significant genetic variances for almost all traits in both germplasm sets. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.23 for Septoria tritici blotch to 0.97 for plant height. A significant correlation between yield and plant height of -0.56 as well as yield and lodging of -0.39 was determined but no other correlation of yield with any of the examined traits. Thus, pedigree selection with early generation screenings on plant height and lodging can be recommended for further spelt improvement.