Enhancing the Yield Potential and Adaptability of Triticum aestivum L. Varieties Cultivated in Ukraine

Abstract

Introduction. Soft winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) remains the primary food crop in global agriculture. Recent increases in air temperature and reductions in precipitation have led to more frequent droughts, posing significant ecological and economic challenges, including declining grain yields.
Problem Statement. These climatic shifts have underscored the urgent need to develop fundamentally new wheat varieties that combine high productivity, grain quality, and broad-spectrum resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.
Purpose. The study aims to assess yield improvements in leading winter wheat varieties widely cultivated in
Ukraine and to evaluate the variability of key agronomic traits in relation to adaptability and breeding value.
Materials and Methods. The plant material comprised winter wheat varieties developed at the Institute of Plant
Physiology and Genetics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Field trials, laboratory assessments, breeding
evaluations, statistical analyses, and cluster analysis were employed. Hierarchical cluster membership was determined, and valuable traits were analyzed to assess adaptability and selection potential.
Results. Hierarchical clustering has grouped the studied varieties into six distinct clusters based on valuable
traits. The total yield potential has increased significantly — from 49.0 c/ha (Ukrainka 0246, released in the early 20th century) to 85.0 c/ha (Horodnytsia, released in the early 21st century). Strong correlations have been established between general tillering and productive tillering (r = 0.91), spike length and grain mass per plant (r = 0.74), spike mass and grain mass in the spike (r = 0.99), grain number per plant (r = 0.78), and 1000-grain mass (r = 0.88). Varieties with high breeding value have been identified, including Smuglianka for spike length and Favoritka for total spikelet number and grain mass per main spike.
Conclusions. Under current climate change conditions, the identified yield potential of regionalized varieties such as Smuglianka, Favoritka, and Horodnytsia offers a valuable genetic resource for developing new cultivars intended for industrial-scale cultivation and contributes to strengthening food security in Ukraine.