The methods used for selecting crosses in one crop species are not necessarily appropriate for others. The present study aimed to evaluate the application of diallel analysis, genetic diversity, parental average, and the Jinks and Pooni method for the selection of parents and superior segregating populations for the grain yield character in wheat. Thus, two experiments were conducted and the treatments were arranged in lattice (experiment I) and randomized blocks with individual information within the plot (experiment II). Twelve parental individuals and 36 segregating populations in the F3 generation resulting from the crossing of these parents in a partial diallel arrangement were evaluated. The application of the evaluated methodologies led to distinct results. The parental average and genetic diversity alone are not efficient prediction methods. The methodology of Jinks and Pooni presents practical limitation because it is not adequate for wheat crop system. Among the evaluated methodologies, diallel analysis is the most promising method for the identification of parents and superior segregating populations.
Triticum aestivum; prediction of the genetic potential; combining ability; grain yield
