Variability of a Pannonian wheat collection used for organic breeding

Abstract

Wheat is the most important plant used for human consumption in Europe and represents the crop most widely grown in the organic agriculture. Moreover, wheat also represents the largest range of organic products available on the market. Because of its importance, for the improvement of organic wheat production great efforts and resources are invested. The main goal is to obtain high and stable yields. During the breeding process of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), when creating a new variety for organic use, it is necessary to incorporate genes responsible for high yield potential and adaptability to different production conditions. In order to determine the variability of grain yield, hectolitre weight, 1000 grain weight and plant height, collection of 30 winter wheat cultivars widely grown in the Pannonian Plain was chosen. The experiment was carried out in a typical Pannonian location at the experimental field of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia. The results showed significant variations in the examined traits between the chosen cultivars. Knowledge about the variability between the wheat cultivars could be used for selecting the most suitable ones for breeding in the organic agriculture of the Pannonian Plain.