Genetic variability of wheat germplasm represented in the south Pannonian region

Abstract

In this study, genetic variability was investigated among 50 winter wheat varieties (Triticum aestivum L.) which are grown in parts of Croatia, Hungary, Serbia and Slovenia according to 22 morphological characteristics used for DUS (distinctness, uniformity and stability) testing. The average Dice similarity coefficient was 0.371. The determined similarity coefficient was in range 0.083 - 0.776. A significant variability of 6.21% in the breeding programs according to period was determined as well as significant variability of 3.10% between breeding programs. The UPGMA clustering divided investigated varieties into four main clusters. Based on data analysis, most distant varieties with best morphological characteristics were found which will provide valuable resource of new parent's combinations in future breeding programs. This paper also provided valuable assessment of morphological characteristics to define distinctness criteria in the DUS examination of wheat.