DefinePK

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), the main cereal crop of the world and a major source of carbohydrates in the human diet. Genotypes enriched with resistant starch have shown health benefits such as improved insulin sensitivity, reduced blood glucose levels, and better digestive health. This study evaluated 40 wheat genotypes for morphological traits including grains per spike, harvest index, biological yield, spike density, yield plant-1, and yield hectare-1. Amid this genotype C26 demonstrated superior performance across most agronomic traits. Other high-yielding genotypes included Zarghon 79, Raskoh 05, Punjab 11, and C28. Maximum mean values for yield-related traits were recorded in genotypes Punjab 11, C228, C28, MH 97, C26, Raskoh 05, Farid 2006, Zarghon 79, Meraj 8, Chakwal 86, Pirsabak 2005, Wafaq, and FSD 85. Molecular study fixed the existence of LEC gene in genotypes Rawal, Bakhtawar-94, GA-2002, Zardana, C26, Kohsar, Nori 70, Zarghon 79 and Punjab 81. The SBEIIb gene (A and B alleles) was detected in genotypes such as Dera 98, SH 2002, Blue Silver, Pirsabak 2005, Imdad 2005, Farid 2006, and Tatara 99. Similarly, the SBEIIa gene (A and B alleles) was present in Kohsar, Punjab 11, Sakol, Nori, Anmol, Inqilab, C91, Chinab 2000, and others while Chakwal and C228 possessed the D-type SBEIIa allele. The results suggest that these genotypes can be used in breeding programs aimed at enhancing both yield potential and nutritional quality in wheat.