BREEDING VALUE OF WINTER WHEAT LINES IN TERMS OF PRODUCTIVITY AND GRAIN QUALITY INDICATORS

Abstract

The search for source material with high breeding value in terms of yield and grain quality is an extremely important task for plant breeders. The article presents the results of determining the breeding value of winter wheat lines by yielding capacity, grain size, and biochemical indicators of grain quality. The studies were carried out in 2021–2025 at the V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat NAAS of Ukraine. Field, laboratory, and statistical methods were used. It was established that the highest average yield was obtained under the conditions of 2025 (8.46 t/ha), while the lowest yield (6.30 t/ha) was recorded in 2022. Lines LUT 60763 and LUT 61081 were classified as stable. The greatest differences among genotypes in grain quality traits were observed in 2022, whereas the smallest differences were recorded in 2021 (gluten content) and in 2025 (grain size and protein content). The largest grain size was formed under the conditions of 2025 and 2023; the highest values were recorded for lines LUT 60963 (50.4 g) and LUT 60734 (49.5 g). Lines LUT 60181 and LUT 61081 were the most stable for grain size. A direct correlation of varying strength between yield and grain size was determined. A higher protein content in grain of winter wheat lines was observed in 2021 (12.7%), whereas the lowest protein content was recorded in 2025 (12.3%). The highest mean protein content (12.9%) was noted in lines LUT 60963 and LUT 60763. Negative correlations were established between grain protein content and yield, as well as with a yield component – grain size – ranging from -0.13 to –0.65 and from -0.25 to -0.82, respectively. The breeding value of lines LUT 60763 and LUT 60963 was confirmed; although these lines did not rank first in terms of yield and 1,000-kernel weight, they were able to form the highest protein yield per unit area and the highest absolute protein content. Gluten content ranged from 20.4% in 2022 to 31.8% in 2021. Line LUT 60763 had the highest gluten content on average in the experiment (27.2%). The level of variation in gluten content was higher compared with grain size and protein content. Lines LUT 60739 and LUT 61081 were classified as the most stable for this trait. A strong positive correlation with protein content (0.67–0.98) and a negative correlation with yield (-0.19 to -0.80) were established. Thus, the study identified winter wheat lines with high breeding value in terms of productivity and grain quality. In 2025, line LUT 60963 was submitted as a new variety called MIP Yednist for State Qualification Testing to the Ukrainian Institute for Plant Variety Examination; line LUT 60763 is planned to be submitted in 2026. Line LUT 61081 is a promising line with high yield potential and the ability to stably form an increased protein content.