Performance of 280 triticale cultivars in a two-year field trial in Serbia

Abstract

Triticale (xTriticosecale), based on crosses between wheat (Triticum aestivum) and rye (Secale cereale), is considered as underutilised crop in Europe being grown on acreages and in quantities much less than dominant crops. However, its potential as silage, food and energy crop, its yield potential, and its tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress, has yet to be fully explored. An experiment established within the CROPDIVA project aimed at introducing triticale in many distinct agricultural regions of Europe. The objective of this study was to evaluate performance of diverse triticale genotypes that would be used to shape resilient agroecosystems better adapted to climate change, with enhanced food diversity and added ecological and economical values. In total, 280 triticale breeding lines or cultivars were chosen from 29 European breeding programmes, to ensure a broad genetic background for the intended genome wide association analysis for relevant traits. The field trial was carried out at the experimental station near Novi Sad, Serbia (N 45°19'21.212", E19°50'50.341") for two years in an augmented design in 5 m2 plots, with 5 checks in 4 replications. After winter performance, plant density and spike length were considerably higher in the second experimental year. Thousand-kernel weight and test weight also varied between the seasons. The heading time occurred later in 2022, but with a shorter heading window than in 2023. These overall performances reflected on lower average grain yield in 2022 (5.4 t/ha) than in 2023 (6.5 t/ha). Higher values for most of the measured traits in 2022-23 could be attributed to the optimal sowing time, compared to much later sowing date in the first year (December 2021). Additionally, weather conditions were more favourable for crop development in the second season, resulting in good germination rate (70% to 95%), good plot density (310 - 630 spikes per m2), good standing ability and homogeneity for most of the genotypes. Four genotypes (Danko34, NORD6_7512, Danko48 and Lumaco) with the fresh yield above 10 t/ha in 2023 and above 6 t/ha in 2022 and with good performance of other agronomic traits could be an interesting material for further exploration.