Estimation of pedigree based diversity in Pakistani wheat (Triticum aestvium L.) germplasm

Pedigree based diversity among Pakistani wheat germplasm was estimated to formulate future strategies for germplasm enhancement. Pakistani wheat germplasm was judged on several criteria, i.e., contribution of land races per cultivar, total number of unique land races utilized during particular decade, proportion of unique land races to the total land races, pedigree distance between the cultivar of various decades. Introduction of CIMMYT material did not resulted in the loss of diversity, it actually increased over time. Introduced germplasm from CIMMYT had more total and unique number of land races in their pedigree. Proportion of unique land races to the total utilized land races decreased. However, it was restored and surpassed to that of pre green revolution period during 1991-2000. Little efforts were carried out for the introgression of useful traits in indigenous pre green revolution germplasm. Resultantly, distance between the local and introduced germplasm increased with varieties released in various decades of previous century. In future, it seems that conventional introductions would continue to come from CIMMYT and diversity of Pakistani wheat germplasm will be regulated by the efforts at CIMMYT.