Grain yield and protein property of Chinese and CIMMYT hard spring wheats in four CIMMYT management environments

The effects of moisture stress, sowing date and planting method on grain yield and protein properties were evaluated using 21 hard spring wheat cultivars, which were grown in Obregon experiment station in CIMMYT across two seasons from 2000 to 2002 under four management environments. All traits investigated were significantly influenced by cultivar and management environment main effects, among which grain yield and SDS sedimentation value were also significantly influenced by cultivar and management interaction. Cultivar by management environment interactions should be accommodated in evaluation and selection of cultivars within the operation of breeding program for grain yield and quality improvement. It was helpful to elevate protein content and gluten strength when planted on bed, reduced irrigation and late sowing, while sown at normal time with full irrigation increased grain yield. Rayon F 89 performed high grain yield, protein content and SDS sedimentation value. Longmai 26 performed much higher grain yield, protein content and SDS sedimentation value than the other three photosensitive cultivars. Cultivars differed in response to irrigation, sowing date and planting method, which changed the rankings for grain yield and SDS sedimentation value. Full irrigation, sown on normal date, and planted on bed (FNB) treatment elevated grain yield for Rayon F 89, and SDS sedimentation value for Weaver. Full irrigation, sown on normal date, and planted on basin (FNF) treatment elevated grain yield for Seri M 82, and SDS sedimentation value for Attila. Full irrigation, sown one month later than normal date, and planted on bed (FLB) treatment increased grain yield for Longmai 26, and SDS sedimentation value for Super Seri#1, whereas reduced irrigation, sown on normal date, and planted on bed (RNB) treatment increased grain yield for Rayong F 89 and Xinchun 6, and SDS sedimentation value for Weaver. It is very important to take the effect of cultivar-by-environment interaction into consideration when improving wheat quality.

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