Heritability estimates of bread wheat quality traits in the Western Cape province of South Africa

The inheritance of wheat quality traits is complex due to the polygenic control of most of these characteristics. Furthermore, correlations and genotype x environmental interactions that exist among these characteristics, makes progress using conventional breeding procedures even more difficult. A diallel trial was carried out with parents and their F2 progeny at Langgewens, South Africa, to determine the correlations, heritability and combining ability of the different quality characteristics. High narrow sense heritability was found for thousand kernel mass, flour extraction, breakflour yield, flour colour and hectolitre mass. Positive genetic correlations were observed between SDS sedimentation and falling number, mixograph development time and hectolitre mass, and loaf volume and flour protein content. Thus, genetic correlations, heritability and combining ability estimates can be used to design a selection strategy to improve quality traits.