Assessment of plasticity and yield stability of soft winter wheat varieties in different soil and climatic zones of Ukraine

Abstract

Purpose. To assess the adaptability and ecological stability of soft winter wheat varieties in terms of yield indicators across three natural and climatic zones of Ukraine (Steppe, Forest-Steppe and Polissia), using two years of field observations (2022/23 and 2023/24). Methods. The research involved 28 varieties of soft winter wheat and was conducted over two seasons in the fields of 17 experimental stations belonging to the Ukrainian Institute for Plant Variety Examination. Experiments were set up and harvests were carried out in accordance with the methodology for conducting the qualification examination of plant varieties. Results. The yield of winter wheat depended significantly on the soil and climatic zone. The highest average yield was recorded in the Forest-Steppe for the ‘DSV 2129120’ variety – 8.98 t/ha. Significant differentiation of varieties in terms of adaptability and ecological plasticity was established; increased coefficients (bi > 1.15) were found in the varieties ‘Saga’, ‘LG Aragonit’, ‘Kyivska 20’ and ‘Antika’. This indicates their intensity and ability to maximise productivity in favourable conditions. By contrast, the varieties ‘DSV 2129120’, ‘AFK Fentesy’ and ‘AFK Union’ exhibited lower bi values (0.72–0.86), indicating greater yield stability under stressful or limited conditions. Maximum ecological stability (S²di < 0.04) was observed in plants of the following varieties: ‘Bilotserkivchanka’ (bi = 1.03; S²di = 0.02); ‘Haptera’ (bi = 1.02; S²di = 0.03); ‘Zvenyhora’ (bi = 1.02; S²di = 0.03); ‘Vallonia’ (bi = 0.93; S²di = 0.04); ‘Viktoriia Polisska’ (bi = 0.86; S²di = 0.05); and ‘Yahidka Odeska’ (bi = 1.10; S²di = 0.05). High 1,000-grain weight values were recorded in the Forest-Steppe zone for the following varieties: ‘Walter’ (48.1 g); ‘LG Strimak’ (47.5 g); ‘Sopilka’ (47.4 g); ‘Antik’ (47.1 g); and ‘Hapter’ (47.0 g). Conclusions. It was established that the productivity, adaptability and ecological stability parameters differ significantly between the varieties of soft winter wheat studied. The varieties ‘LG Aragonit’, ‘DSV 2129120’ and ‘Valloniya’ produced the highest and most stable yields under distinctive weather conditions. These results support the recommendation of these varieties for increased cultivation in the context of climate variability. According to the Ebergard–Russell method, significant differentiation of the varieties in terms of their adaptive potential was confirmed. ‘Saga’, ‘LG Aragonit’, ‘Kyivska 20’ and ‘Antik’ are promising in the high-resource Forest-Steppe region, while ‘DSV 2129120’, ‘AFK Fentesy’ and ‘AFK Union’ demonstrate stable productivity in the stressful conditions of the Steppe region. ‘Bilotserkivchanka’, ‘Hapter’, ‘Zvenyhora’, ‘Valloniia’ and ‘Yahidka Odeska’ exhibited the highest ecological stability, indicating their suitability for wide use in different agro-climatic zones. The 1,000-grain weight varied significantly depending on the agro-climatic zone; the most favourable conditions for its formation were found in the Forest-Steppe. ‘Walter’, ‘LG Strimak’, ‘Antik’ and ‘Sopilka’ exhibited high resistance in this regard. These results can be used to improve breeding programmes and optimise the composition of crop varieties in different natural and climatic regions of Ukraine.