Testing of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties of ASC "Donskoy" on chestnut soils of the Volgograd region

Abstract

In Russia, the main food culture is wheat. Its cultivation is a guarantor of stability and efficiency of the economy. A significant role of breeding work is in increasing its productivity. Therefore, this research was conducted during 2020-22 at the Federal Scientific Center of Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Kamyshinsky district for testing winter wheat varieties. These varieties were selected as the most stress- and drought-resistant in their breeding characteristics. The location and laying of the experimental plot were selected so that the characteristics of the varieties corresponded to climatic indicators, field records of the yield structure were conducted according to the methodology of B. A. Dospekhov and the state variety testing. The Pearson coefficient (r-Pearson) was used for the correlation analysis. The significance of the differences was assessed by the smallest significant difference at the significance level of 5% (НСР05). According to the totality of the variety's reactions to the complex of prevailing soil and climatic conditions, it is possible to distinguish the varieties Razdolye and Premier. The highest yields were shown by Lilit, Don's Niva, Premier and Don's Ruby varieties, from 2.50 to 2.66 t/ha. The analysis of winter wheat grain for the content of raw gluten and protein allowed us to identify the highest quality varieties: Dione and Onyx–24.1-25.6% and from 13%, respectively. Lilit, Don's Niva, Don's Ruby and Premiere varieties showed great profitability. Statistical processing showed that the grain yield of the studied winter wheat varieties in the steppe zone was reliably associated with field germination (r=0.5-0.7), grain weight in the ear (r=0.7), weight of 1000 grains (r=0.53) and the number of grains in the ear (r=0.68). Thus, in the conditions of the Lower Volga region, the quantitative values of weather factors were identified that determine the formation of high yields of varieties: Expanse, Premiere.