EVALUATION OF GRAIN QUALITY OF BREEDING MATERIAL OF SPRING SOFT WHEAT BY SEDIMENTATION

The purpose of this study was to identify the most valuable genotypes by sedimentation method to optimize the breeding process of spring soft wheat for quality. The objectives of the research were to determine the quantitative severity of the DDS sedimentation index in grain of promising varieties and lines of spring soft wheat breeding nurseries: control test (CI), preliminary competitive test (PKI), basic competitive (OKI) and environmental tests (EI). The soils are southern chernozems, the climate is moderately continental. In OKI, the plot area is 16.8 m2. 42 samples and 100 numbers in the PKI were studied in two field replications. The 2023 control test included 105 samples, the plot area was 2.4 m2, the environmental test was carried out in two experiments in two field repetitions, the plot area was 8.4 m2 and 4.2 m2. The sedimentation index was evaluated by the method of Bebyakin V.M. and Buntina M.V. (1991). To identify the reliability of differences between the indicators in the studied varieties, a one-factor analysis of variance was used, the least significant difference (LSD) was estimated with the reliability of the F-criterion (*) and the criterion of multiple comparisons of partial averages according to Duncan. The correlation analysis method was used to determine the convergence of the results based on field repetitions. The quality of grain is mainly influenced by weather conditions during the period of its formation and filling. The limitation of the trait was revealed by field repetitions, by year and throughout the year. In CI, 25 varietal samples had a sedimentation index of more than 60 ml, which is 23.8% of the studied samples, and in PCI, 30% of the samples had an index above 60 ml. The correlation coefficient between field repetitions in the OKI is 0.7021** (2022) and 0.7937** (2023) (** is significant at 1% level), therefore, discussion of the average value of the trait is legitimate. In 2023, there is a consistent increase in the number of varietal samples by nurseries with sedimentation index of 60 ml and above: KP - 23.8%; PKI - 30%; OKI - 45%, this indicates that selection for this trait in 2022 gave a positive result. Analysis of two nurseries of the ecological trial identified 33% of varieties promising as source material for breeding for grain quality. The correlation coefficient between field repetitions in the first nursery of ecological test is 0.8048**, in the second nursery - 0.8049**, this indicates the correctness of the methodology of the field experiment, which is a prerequisite for successful analysis of grain quality indicators of spring soft wheat.