YIELD PERFORMANCES OF WINTER WHEAT (T. aestivum) GENOTYPES IMPROVED FOR DRY ENVIRONMENTAL REGION OF TURKEY

Abstract

This research, to determine the genetic progress in the winter bread wheat cultivars developed with breeding studies in the last 45 years for Turkey's arid environment, in Kirsehir ecological conditions, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 growing periods were carried out for two years in randomized block design with four replications. In this research, yield and yield components of 24 winter bread wheat cultivars selected according to registration years were examined and genetic progress was evaluated for these properties by regression analysis method. As a result of two years of research, it has been determined that cultivars have a grain yield between 249 kg da-1 (Gun 91) - 362 kg da-1 (Karahan 99) and fertile spikes number per square meter 377 - 552, grain number per spike 28.81 – 41.83, grain weight per spike 1.07 – 1.52 g, harvest index 26.17% - 37.07%. The annual yield increase of the cultivars with genetic progress was found to be 1,029 kg da-1. While it was determined genetic progress in 6 of total 11 traits, was observed negative genetic change in the other traits. Specifically, it was determined that the genetic improvement seen in the grain number per spikelet, grain number per spike, grain weight per spike, biomass yield and harvest index characteristics were found to contribute to the increase in grain yield. Characteristics seen genetic progress, have come to the forefront as selection parameters that wheat breeders working on rainfed conditions should emphasize. In addition, Karahan 99, Nacibey, Bayraktar 2000, Izgi 2001 and Bagci 2002 cultivars were determined as cultivars that could be recommended to be grown in Kirsehir ecological conditions.