Characterization of the caryopsis of common wheat varieties and F2 generation hybrids by means of multivariate analysis

Summary Nineteen parameters of common wheat kernels were investigated by the multivariate procedure. A relationship between the DBC parameter and both specific gravity and kernel filling was found. In some populations an interdependence of the DBC parameter and the subaleurone endosperm thickness was found. In the analysis of principal components the DBC parameter was represented mostly by particular component. Significant dependences were found between the dimensions as well as the weight of the caryopsis and some dimensions of the crease and endosperm cavity. The dendrite constructed on the basis of the calculated Mahalanobis's generalized distances matrix represents the near affinity of reciprocal hybrids or pure lines originating from a single cultivar as well as hybrids and their parental forms.