SCREENING OF THE WORLD GENE POOL OF SPRING DURUM WHEAT ON THE YIELD AND GRAIN QUALITY

Abstract

In the North-Eastern part of the Republic of Belarus 256 accessions of spring durum wheat of different ecological and geographical origin have been studied. The economic characters have been analyzed: plant height, elements of yield and the main indicators of grain quality. The distinction of the accessions in terms of the area of origin has been established. The forms suitable for the use in breeding for yield and grain quality have been identified. In breeding for resistance to lodging it is advisable to use dwarf accessions as initial forms – Icaro, Valaniene, Gaza W-277, Esquilache. In breeding for yield, preference should be given to the original forms with high adaptive capacity and plant performance – Тоlesa, Valenta, Кatyusha, Dunyasha, Verona (Belarus); T. durum 596 (Georgia), LD 12 (USA), Damsinskaya 40 (Kazakhstan); Valentina, Duet of Chernozemya 2, Steppe 3 (Russia) and Bukuriya (Ukraine). Taking into account stable negative correlation between the yield and grain quality, it is advisable to apply step or saturating crosses in durum wheat breeding, using the forms with a high grain quality as a parent component. The varieties Tolesa, Valenta, Dunyasha, Kharkovskaya 39, Damsinskaya 90 and Damsinskaya 8 are the sources of high weight of 1000 grains, the varieties Kharkovskaya 41 and Aktyubinskaya-74 are the sources of vitreousness (above 92 %). The varieties RL 1317, Randur, Oued Kebir, Melange, Peliss Selection No 14, Singh, T. durum 605 and Menceki are distinguished in terms of protein content (above 18.5 %) and gluten content (47 % or more) in the conditions of Belarus. The variety Dunyasha is the best among national varieties.