Defining the target population of environments for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding in Italy based on historical data

Abstract

AbstractGrain yield plateau is a serious concern in many countries, including Italy. A specific‐adaptative strategy might apply to contrast this unfavourable condition. This study aimed to investigate the gain in grain yield and yield‐related traits of bread wheat in Italy over a 16‐year period. A historical dataset concerning 105 sites across Italy and observations on grain yield, heading date, plant height and thousand kernel weight was used. The target population of environments (TPEs) were defined using several environmental parameters. The results showed that while there was a general increase in thousand kernel weight over the 16 years, there was no significant improvement in grain yield and heading date. By contrast, plant height showed a slight decrease over the years. The study also identified five TPEs presenting different climate scenarios in Italy. The TPEs showed varying levels of performance for the traits of interest, with the Po valley (TPE4) showing the highest values for grain yield and thousand kernel weight. The study also identified the best‐performing genotypes for each TPE, providing valuable insights for future wheat breeding programmes in Italy.