The soft winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding for extra-strong baking quality identification and development

Abstract

Purpose. To work out the theoretical principles of soft winter wheat breeding for grain baking quality improvement up to the extra-strong level and initial varieties breeding for germoplasm development. Methods. Interspecies hybridization, field tests, laboratory baking quali­ty test, analysis. Results. Rising yields and better baking quality of the soft winter wheat varieties were achieved as a result of varieties replacement on the South Ukraine. Winter wheat specific response to the different dose of nitrogen fertilizer application has been a characteristic feature of the different variety types (tall extensive, mild intensive, semi half intensive, dwarf high intensive). It demonstrated increased productivity and also changes in gluten characteristics – tenacity, extensibility and elasti­city. On the base of these data a new approach to the bread winter wheat varieties development with extra-strong baking quality characteristics was offered. Criteria for the extra-strong varieties group and official introduction of this group are proposed for consideration. Effectiveness and ways of extra-strong genotypes selection among hybrid population of high baking quality were under research. Conclusions. The main criteria for determining selection of extra-strong bread winter wheat varieties are the following: grain protein content (no less than 14%); alveograph value – 500 units and higher; optimal ratio of gluten characteristics – tenacity/extensibility ~1; certain biochemical markers of genetic quality level and resistance to sprouting. The breeding methodology of extra-strong genotypes has certain specific nature: reserve proteins electrophoreses for identification of alleles with positive effect on quality indices; involving to hybridization winter and spring types as genetic sources of high baking quality; change specific environment conditions to select extra-strong genotypes on different breeding stages.