Evaluation of Wild-Growing Forms of Crested Wheatgrass When Using in Breeding

Abstract

The practice of using wild-growing material in the breeding of forage crops has long been recognized as a relevant and effective method for creating new varieties. The purpose of the research was to assess wild-growing samples of the crested wheatgrass and isolate genetic sources of economically valuable traits for breeding in the Stavropol Territory. The research was carried out in 2017–2020. The material of the study – 22 wild specimens of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron pectiniforme Roem. et Shult.) of various ecological and geographical origin. The crested wheatgrass variety ‘Vikrav’ served as the standard. During the years of study, meteorological conditions were extremely dry. The assessment of the samples was carried out according to the guidelines for the selection of perennial cereal grasses. The experiment was laid on bare fallow, plot area – 3 m2. Sowing and maintenance work were carried out manually. On average, for three years (2018–2020), the yield of green mass of the studied samples ranged from 0.15 to 0.94 kg/m2; dry – from 0.07 to 0.38 kg/m2; seeds – from 0.015 to 0.070 kg/m2. Samples from Ukraine (d.d. 28, 30), Chelyabinsk region (d. 31) and Kazakhstan (d.d. 34 and 37) were more productive in terms of fodder weight. In terms of seed productivity, in the first year, wild samples from Aktobe (d. 5) and Chelyabinsk regions (d. 31), from Ukraine (d. 25) and Kazakhstan (d.d. 34 and 37) were distinguished. In the second year of herbage use – from the Chelyabinsk region (d. 31) and Kazakhstan (d.d. 35 and 37). In the third year of use, no significant excess over the standard was found. On average, over three years of use, wild specimens d. 31, d. 34, and d. 37 exceeded the standard in seed yield by 0.020-0.033 kg/m2. Wild specimens from the Chelyabinsk region (d. 31) and Kazakhstan (d. 34) were isolated according to the complex of valuable characteristics for use in breeding in the Stavropol Territory.