Wheat breeding in abiotic stress conditions of Solonetz

Abstract

The complex stress environment at locality Kumane (Banat) primarily is caused by alkaline soil of solonetz type, but includes the other sources of wheat variability, water-logging and occasional extreme temperatures, as well. In order to obtain wheat varieties that could fulfill the requirement of enhanced tolerance to abiotic stress conditions of alkaline soil a set of wheat varieties was examined in parallel trials in Kumane (solonetz), and at Rimski Šančevi on chernzem (black soil). The multiyear results helped to select usable wheat genetic material among the existing varietal genetic variability. That variability was used as parents in in situ established crosses. The results in segregating F2 offspring surpassed the average parental values for examined traits - plant height, grain number and grain weight per spike. Hence, selecting desirable genetic variability innovel variability through years could lead to wheat plant ideotype capable to bring forth a economically justified yield.