Heterosis of some morphological and grain quality traits in winter durum wheat

Abstract

The aim of the presented study was to establish mid parent heterosis and better parent heterosis of five quantitative traits related to the productivity and quality of durum wheat. A diallel cross was performed for three consecutive years. Thus, F1 generations are provided for three years. The experiments were conducted in randomized block design in three replications for three consecutive years - 2014, 2015 and 2016. The trials were carried out in the breeding field of the Field Crops Institute, Chirpan according to the accepted technology for growing durum wheat. Mid parent and better parent heterosis of ten durum wheat crosses were determined. The better parent heterosis reached up to -7.4 (-7.61%) for plant height, up to 4.66 (56.30%) for number of productive tillers, up to 1.63 (21.01%) for spike length, up to 2.25 (13.84%) for grain protein content and up to 4.66 (13.92%) for grain wet gluten content. Two valuable combinations showed heterosis on several traits. Progres X Predel indicated better parent heterosis for three of the five traits included in the study. Deni X Progres indicated better parent heterosis for three of the five traits studied. The Progres variety is recommended for use as a mother and as a pollinator, and the Deni variety as a mother in winter durum wheat crossing programs. These varieties and their crosses are suitable for improving the productivity and quality of durum wheat. The obtained results may be applied in the hybrid and combining breeding programs to improve durum wheat.