TRITICUM POLONICUM L. AS PROMISING SOURCE MATERIAL FOR BREEDING NEW WHEAT CULTIVARS

Breeding lines of Triticum polonicum (Polish wheat) on average were characterized by significantly the lowest (27.39) number of kernels per spike relative to common wheat (41.04) and durum wheat (32.90). One kernel weight was significantly the highest (57.9 mg) in durum wheat, in particular cv. Malvadur (63 mg). Two-way ANOVA for all analyzed spike and kernel morphological traits revealed no significant differences between the experimental years and no significant year x species interactions, which indicates that the evaluated wheat species responded similarly to weather conditions in both years of the study. The grain of three Triticum species differed significantly in protein, ash and fat content. The grain of T. polonicum was most abundant in protein (166 g kg(-1)) relative to durum wheat (131 g kg(-1)) and common wheat (120 g kg(-1)). Considerable variations in the protein content of the evaluated lines (from 135 g kg(-1) to 188 g kg(-1)) indicate that in Polish wheat effective selection for this trait is possible. T. polonicum grain had significantly the highest ash content (22 g kg(-1)), compared with durum (19 g kg(-1)) and common wheat (18 g kg(-1)), and significantly the lowest fat content (18 g kg(-1)). The grain of the analyzed species did not differ significantly in the fiber content. Similarly to the analyzed spike and kernel properties, the absence of significant year x species interactions suggests that all three wheat species responded similarly to varied weather conditions between the experimental years. In the principal component analysis, the evaluated species were strongly discriminated by yield-related traits and the macronutrient content of grain.