Multivariate analysis of grain yield attributes and spot blotch incidence in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under sub-Himalayan agroclimatic condition.

An Elite Spring Wheat Yield Trial (EWYT) was conducted with 50 diverse genotypes of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and analyzed by multivariate analysis during 2018-19 rabi season. Correlation analysis revealed positive association of plant height, grains per spike, spike length, test weight and biomass with grain yield. Path analysis revealed the highest direct effect on grain yield/metre by biomass/metre (1.508) which was also positively associated with grain yield/metre (0.833). PCA analysis showed 11 principal components out of which five principal components (PC1 to PC5) exhibited eigen value greater than one. The correlation between AUDPC and physiological characters indicated that chlorophyll loss was associated with high spot blotch disease incidence at later stages of crop growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]