Climate changes in recent decades have increased the degree of risks in crop production. The consequence of such processes is an increase in the temperature regime against the background of a significant moisture deficit in critical periods of plant growth and development. Accordingly, research aimed at establishing the adaptability of plants to such climatic changes is relevant and timely. The purpose of the research is to establish the principles of implementing the adaptive potential of new varieties of winter wheat of different types of development in the Steppe zone under the conditions of climate change. Records and their assessment were carried out according to the generally accepted methods of Ukrainian variety testing with mandatory statistical and dispersion analysis of the results of field experiments. The establishment of indicators of the stability of quantitative traits and plasticity was carried out using the Eberhard-Russell algorithm, which is based on a regression analysis of the dependence of the grain yield of winter wheat of different varieties on the environmental index. The results of the research established that universal type varieties with a stem length of 85-90 cm are the most suitable for irrigated and non-irrigated conditions. Regression analysis of the data on the plasticity and stability of the elements of the crop structure in different varieties of winter wheat proved that their variability directly depends on the genotype and ecological gradients. According to the results of the assessment of the adaptive potential, it was established that the parameters of plasticity (bi = 0.804-0.989) and yield (7.33-7.63 t/ha exceed the standard by 10.4-14.9%) showed winter wheat varieties of the universal type - Askaniyska, Askaniyska Bereginya, Perlyna, Znahidka Odeska, while Khersonska 99, Kirena, Yaroslavna, Kuyalnyk, etc. were characterized by an intensive type of development. Varieties of the universal type were more plastic and stable in the formation of ear productivity, compared to short and tall biotypes. The scientific significance of the research lies in the substantiation of scientific principles, practical recommendations for improving varietal agricultural technology of winter wheat, which had different genetic and ecological origins, in irrigated and non-irrigated conditions of the Steppe zone