Changes in physiological and quality traits related to the breeding progress

Abstract

Constant grain yield improvement is the main objective of breeding programs worldwide. During the past century, grain yield potential of main European cereal crops, maize, barley and wheat has been continuously improved as the result of changes in production technology and development of modern high-yielding cultivars. Information about changes in physiological and quality traits and their contribution to the grain yield improvement are important for further adaptation of cereal breeding strategies. Growing conditions in the Pannonian Plain are negatively influenced by climate changes, limiting high and stable grain yield production of different main cereal crops. Therefore, constant development of new cultivars and hybrids with stable and higher grain yield is one of the most important strategies to mitigate the negative influence of changing climate, securing the higher grain yield production. During the past century, the grain yield of different cereal crops significantly increased at the rate of approximately 50 kg ha-1 in maize, winter wheat and winter barley under conditions of the Pannonian Plain.