Domestic wheat development in tropical environments is crucial to reduce import dependency and strengthen national food security. Precision in early selection is a vital stage in identifying potential candidates based on their genetic diversity and agronomic performance. This study aims to analyze genetic parameters, causal relationships, and direct effects between traits, as well as to perform early selection of wheat genotypes in tropical conditions. A total of 30 wheat genotypes, consisting of 25 M2 mutant lines induced by gamma radiation and 5 check varieties, were evaluated using an augmented randomized complete block design (RCBD), with checks replicated in three blocks. The results showed broad genetic variability in agronomic, yield, and yield component traits, with very high broad-sense heritability observed for the 100-seed weight trait (99.10%). Path analysis confirmed that main panicle seed weight was the primary determinant of yield, exhibiting the most dominant positive direct effect (0.85) on the 100-seed weight component. Based on the multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI) multivariate selection, eight superior genotypes were selected: G08, G21, G04, G16, G10, G02, G07, and G20, which possessed strength profiles closest to the theoretical ideotype. These elite genotypes represent a highly potential genetic basis for future sustainable wheat breeding programs to develop adaptive and high-yielding varieties in Indonesia
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