Comparative evaluation of winter durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) cultivars and lines in Rostov Province

Abstract

Background. Studying and utilizing environmentally adapted genotypes helps to minimize crop productivity losses under the effect of abiotic and biotic stressors. The objective of the current study was to assess the variability of key agronomic traits in winter durum wheat cultivars and lines of different ecogeographic origin in Rostov Province. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in the southern part of Rostov Province at the Donskoy Agricultural Research Center. Thirty-eight winter durum wheat cultivars and lines developed by the Donskoy Center, P.P. Lukyanenko National Grain Center, PBGI-NCSCI, etc. were studied. Results and conclusion. Grain yield of ‘Yubilyarka’, ‘Dinas’, ‘Khrizolit’, ‘Karavella’, L 4089 h 94, ‘Bella’, ‘Agat Donskoy’, Gordeiforme 771 p 46-18-26, and ‘Pridonye’ exceeded the reference by 0.63–1.14 t/ha. Cvs. ‘Pridonye and ‘Dobryana’ were attributed to the first class of grain quality for their vitreousness, almost all the cultivars for grain test weight and protein content, and cvs. ‘Kristella’ and ‘Dobryana’ for gluten content. High and medium variability was identified in grain yield, vitreousness, and 1000-grain weight. Cvs. ‘Sinyora’ (C V  = 12.8%) and ‘Agat Donskoy’ (C V  = 13.6%) had the greatest stability in yield. Test weight, and the content of protein, gluten and carotenoids were stable. Medium correlations were identified between yield and carotenoid content (r = –0.46 ± 0.20); vitreousness and 1000-grain weight (r = –0.45 ± 0.20), protein content (r = 0.45 ± 0.20), and gluten content (0.48 ± 0.20); 1000-grain weight and the content of protein (r = –0.44 ± 0.20), gluten (r = –0.45 ± 0.20), and carotenoids (r = –0.51 ± 0.19); protein content and gluten content (r = 0.76 ± 0.14).