Comparative Assessment of Agro-Morphological and Quality Traits of Ancient Wheat Cultivars Grown under Organic Farming

Abstract

The re-introduction of ancient wheat species into agricultural systems requires a multidisciplinary research approach. Morphological and yield-forming traits are often used as the basis for evaluating and improving crop productivity, but an understanding of the association of these traits with grain quality properties is also essential. The present study was established to understand the performance of old and new cultivars and breeding lines of hulled wheat species by analyzing the selected agro-morphological and quality traits to determine the variability and correlations among them. The results indicated that the stem length of the emmer and the spelt was comparable (100–101 cm), but the impact of the growing year on the variance of this trait was the highest (93%), with different responses of cultivars. The maximum value of grain weight per spike (1.70 g), the highest thousand grain weight (56.3 g) and the highest share of large-sized grains (57.7%) were found in the emmer, indicating the potential for increased grain yield. The lowest protein quantity was reported for the emmer (11.2%), for which wet gluten (WG) quantity was also found to be the lowest (6.0%). Protein quantity correlated with stem length for the spelt, while for the emmer, with spike length. In spite of the higher gluten index of the emmer (60.4%) compared to the spelt (33.5%), the very low Zeleny index of the emmer (10.2 mL) together with low WG may have a negative impact on the baking quality of the emmer. Even in non-fertilized soil, the emmer is at risk of lodging despite its height and favorable agro-morphological traits.