Potential of winter wheat adaptation in the low zone of Tetritskaro Municipality.

Wheat is a very important crop all over the world. Of the food provision needed by a human, bread is indeed outstanding. Consequently, the demand for wheat grain is the highest in the world. Georgia has a potential to produce high-quality agricultural crops what is extremely important for the economic growth of the country, as well as for improving its export opportunities and food safety. Georgia is recognized as the primary source of wheat origin and Georgian people have ancient traditions of wheat growing. Unfortunately, in recent years, the areas sown with wheat have decreased significantly. The specific weight of winter wheat in wheat grain growing is much more than that of spring wheat varieties, as its harvest is more stable and reliable. Winter wheat uses soil moisture more efficiently, develops strong root system and better breeding ability than the spring wheat. Tetritskaro Municipality is located in the eastern part of Georgia and is a self-governing unit of Kvemo Kartli region. Moderately humid climate is dominant in the municipality. Average annual air temperature in the low zone is 12°C. Average air temperature in January, the coldest month of the year, is 0°C and it is 24°C in July - the hottest month of the year. Average annual precipitation make 500 mm. Most precipitations fall in May (119 mm) and the least precipitations fall in December (30 mm). A great variation of daily temperatures (5-1°C during the day and up to -10°C at night) has a negative impact on wheat. By identifying the range of tolerance to the ecological factors, we can consider the degree of adaptation and determine the harvest depending on the environmental factors. We evaluated the climatic indicators by using a hydrothermal coefficient. A study of agroclimatic conditions in different years of the experiment allowed to thoroughly and reliably assess winter wheat varieties under different environmental conditions. Adaptability to the environmental conditions is assessed based on the potential of adaptation, which means the vitality, reproduction and development of winter wheat in variable environmental conditions.