Tendencies in the reaction of the yield of Bulgarian triticale cultivars under contrasting environments

Hristo Stoyanov

Abstract: It is essential for the efficiency of the breeding process in crops such as triticale, which possess complex genomes, to correctly determine the interaction of the studied genotypes with the conditions of the environment. In a large number of researches, a rather contrasting nature both of the periods and the used locations is often observed. This gives ground for incorrect interpretations and leads to lower efficiency of the breeding programs. In order to avoid the shortcomings of most models applied for evaluation of the genotype x environment interaction, a model was elaborated allowing for assessment of the stability and adaptability of a set of differing genotypes grown under contrasting conditions of the environment. The model was based on actual data obtained during five successive harvest years on the yield of 16 triticale genotypes. These data showed that the stability according to the period favorable for growing may vary considerably depending on the peculiarities of the specific contrasting period. It was found out that the cultivars characterized with lower productivity such as AD-7291, Vihren and Rakita also demonstrated lower response to the environmental conditions in comparison to the favorable period, while the cultivars with very high production potential (Irnik, Borislav) were characterized with very low stability based on the applied model. In cultivars Atila, Bumernag, Doni 52 and Blagovest, a moderate combination of high productivity and stability of reaction was observed, which makes them suitable from a breeding point of view for growing under variable soil and climatic conditions in Bulgaria.

Keywords: genotype x environment interaction; tendencies; triticale

Date published: 2021-02-25