Assessment of the adaptability of spring soft wheat lines in the North Kazakhstan region

Abstract

Background and Aim. The North Kazakhstan region is one of the leading areas of Kazakhstan for the production of high-quality wheat grain. To improve the efficiency of breeding work, an important research focus is the study of the adaptability of new lines based on indicators of ecological plasticity and yield stability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adaptability of spring bread wheat lines from competitive trials using indicators of ecological plasticity and yield stability under the conditions of the steppe zone of Northern Kazakhstan.

Materials and Methods. The analysis was carried out on 20 promising spring bread wheat lines bred at the North Kazakhstan Agricultural Experimental Station during 2020 2024. Ecological stability and plasticity indices were calculated according to the method of S.A. Eberhart and W.A. Russell (as adapted by V.A. Zykin et al.). The indicators of stress tolerance (Ymin–Ymax) and genetic flexibility ((Ymin–Ymax)/2) were calculated using equations proposed by A.A. Rosielle and J. Hamblin, as interpreted by A.A. Goncharenko.

Results. Lines characterized by a combination of high yield (27.6–28.1 c/ha), ecological plasticity (bi = 0.98–1.07), and stability (σ²d = 0.4–1.0) were identified: 486/lyut 22, 63/lyut 37, and 453 SP2/19. Line 218/10 and the variety Aina showed high productivity and increased plasticity indices (bi = 1.14–1.21), classifying them as intensive types.

Conclusion. The evaluation made it possible to identify spring bread wheat lines with high ecological adaptability, plasticity, and yield stability that are of interest for further use in breeding programs and production trials under the conditions of the steppe zone of Northern Kazakhstan.