Investigation of yield and quality traits in some wheat bread cultivars and determination of the ones that are best suited to Çanakkale region

This research study was conducted to characterize 40 different domestic or introduced bread wheat genotypes for their agronomic traits, grain yield and flour quality traits under Çanakkale conditions; and to determine the genotypic relationships among them. Field trials were carried out during 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 growing seasons at Dardanos Research Center of Agricutural Faculty, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University. Data were collected on grain yield as well as several agronomic traits and flour quality traits. The genotypic relationships were investigated based on gliadin band analysis. Results of the study suggested that Sagittario, one of the chief varieties of the region, could be recommended to the wheat producers as a high yielding (632,8 kg/da) and high quality cultivar; whereas there were better genotypes than the other chief varieties, Gönen and Kaşifbey. Ranges of genotype means for the investigated traits were as follows: Grain yield 282,7-632,8 kg/da, days to heading 145,3-170,8 days, plant height 62,8-96,1 cm, spike weight 2,50-3,50 g, spike length 8,0-10,4 cm, number of spikelets in a spike 15,7-20,1, grain weight in a spike 1,60-2,66 g, number of grains in a spike 43,1-64,3, grain moisture 10,6-13,8%, thousand kernel weight 29,0-49,6 g, hectoliter weight 74,1-82,3 kg, milling efficiency 62,6-77,5%, ash ratio 0,40-0,64%, protein ratio 9,2-13,0%, gluten ratio 25,0-37,1%, gluten index value 55,1-94,2%, sedimentation value 30,8-52,3 ml, and modified sedimentation value 29,2-56,0 ml. Investigation of possible correlations of grain yield with the other traits indicated significant and positive correlation coefficients with plant height (r=0,52***), hectoliter weight (r=0,45***) and grain weight in a spike (r=0,36***). Based on the gliadin band analysis, the genotypes were classified into two groups, and a significant variation existed within these groups. Banding patterns suggest that varieties with similar breeding origin or bred in similar locations showed close genetic relationship; while, we could detect no relationship between the banding patterns and any of the investigated traits.