Performance of Some Romanian Winter Wheat Cultivars Under Organic Agriculture Conditions I. Grain Yield

Abstract

In order to identify wheat cultivars most suitable for cultivation in organic agriculture, we tested 16 Romanian winter wheat cultivars in yield tests organized in South Romania at Fundulea and Valului Traian during 2019-2022. Most of the yield variation was due to the variation of environmental conditions, but cultivars also had a significant effect. Older cultivars yielded less than modern ones, and highest average grain yields were obtained in the most recently registered cultivars, Ursita and FDL Abund. Genetic progress for yield achieved in breeding programs performed in conventional agriculture conditions was also reflected in the cultivars’ performance under organic agriculture.

Assessment of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and quality under organic farming in the southwest of Romania

“…Among the cultivars tested, the recently released cultivar 'Voinic' (released in 2020) stood out both in terms of grain yield (4755 kg ha -1 ) and grain quality (73.9 kg hl -1 test weight and 10.7% protein content), being in accordance with those reported by Marinciu et al (2022a;2022b), where this cultivar 'Voinic', according to grain yield and test weight, was considered one of the most suitable cultivars for organic farming. The oldest cultivar 'Bezostaia 1' (released in 1961) obtained lower, but statistically insignificant levels for all studied parameters compared to this recently/modern cultivar.…”

“…The yield level of the 15 wheat cultivars tested (3899 kg ha -1 ) was close to that reported in the study of other authors (Feledyn-Szewczyk et al, 2020) from Europe (Poland) who obtained 3.76 t ha -1 of wheat in organic system and higher than that reported by Marinciu et al (2022b) in Romania who obtained 3176 kg ha -1 , which demonstrates the favorability of the study area for organic farming.…”

“…Our results regarding grain yield did not confirm any significant interaction between cultivar and year, but for test weight and protein content the cultivar x year interaction was significant. However, in other studies the cultivar x year interaction was significant for yield (Marinciu et al, 2022b;Petcu et al, 2011). The presence of cultivar x year interaction effect on these parameters of quality indicated the inconsistency of some cultivars in expressing these traits across growing seasons, complicating the selection of superior cultivars.…”

“…Therefore, choosing the most suitable cultivar for organic farming is a key element for agricultural practice because it can have a greater effect on the economics/profitability of a wheat crop than in conventional farming (Revilla et al, 2008).Cereal varieties suitable for organic farming should have resistance to diseases and pests and good capacity to suppress weeds and absorb nutrients (Feledyn-Szewczyk et al, 2014;2020).It is estimated that more than 95% of organic production is based on the use of varieties obtained for conventional agriculture (Löschenberger et al, 2008). Many studies have shown that some modern varieties obtained for conventional agriculture with high inputs, obtained good yields with superior quality in organic agriculture as well (Carr et al, 2006, Marinciu et al, 2022b. According to Marinciu et al (2022b), the genetic progress for wheat yield obtained in conventional agriculture is also reflected in the performance of varieties grown in organic agriculture.…”

“…Many studies have shown that some modern varieties obtained for conventional agriculture with high inputs, obtained good yields with superior quality in organic agriculture as well (Carr et al, 2006, Marinciu et al, 2022b. According to Marinciu et al (2022b), the genetic progress for wheat yield obtained in conventional agriculture is also reflected in the performance of varieties grown in organic agriculture. Other studies have shown that old varieties are more suitable for organic agriculture than modern varieties (Carranza-Gallego et al, 2018).…”