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Spike length formation in soft winter wheat varieties of different maturity groups

The development of highly adaptive winter wheat varieties capable of maintaining stable productivity under changing environmental conditions is an important objective of modern plant breeding. One of the key traits associated with yield formation is spike length, which reflects both the genetic potential of a genotype and its response to environmental factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adaptability of modern winter bread wheat varieties based on homeostasicity parameters and the breeding value of spike length under the conditions of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Field experiments were conducted during 2016–2020 at the experimental field of Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University. Fourteen winter wheat varieties belonging to different maturity groups were studied. Statistical analysis included the determination of the arithmetic mean, minimum and maximum values, variance, coefficient of variation, homeostasicity index, and breeding value of the trait. The results showed that the length of the main spike varied from 6.8 cm (the ‘Yednist’ variety) to 9.7 cm (the ‘Chornyava’ variety), with an average value of 7.8 cm. The highest spike length was recorded for the varieties ‘Chornyava’, ‘Kolchuga’, ‘Myronivska 61’, ‘Lisova Pisnia’, and ‘Dobirna’. The coefficient of variation ranged from 4.1 % to 21.8 %, indicating different levels of phenotypic stability among the studied genotypes. High homeostasicity was observed in the varieties ‘Znakhidka Odeska’, ‘Vidrada’, ‘Chornyava’, ‘Lisova Pisnia’, ‘Stolychna’, and ‘Myronivska 61’. The varieties ‘Vidrada’, ‘Stolychna’, ‘Chornyava’, and ‘Myronivska 61’ demonstrated the highest breeding value for spike length, combining high trait stability with favorable expression of the studied parameter. The identified varieties are promising genetic sources for breeding programs aimed at developing highly adaptive winter wheat cultivars.

Key words: winter wheat, spike length, adaptability, homeostasicity, breeding value, variety evaluation, Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.

Ustinova Н. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3056-358X


Karpuk L. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5860-5286


Yurchenko A. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5915-2053


Obrajyy S. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3532-6655


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AGROBIOLOGY №1 2026