Adaptive capabilities of modern spring wheat varieties

Field studies were carried out on to compare adaptive capabilities of 20 modern varieties of spring wheat. The experimental data have shown that in the conditions of the Central Black Earth region of the Russian Federation, spring wheat may not always be a reliable insurance crop, due to the low adaptive capabilities of cultivated varieties. In 2018, with the distinct drought throughout almost the entire growing season, the dry weight of crop plants was 48.8% lower than in 2019, by 36.0% compared to 2020 and by 15.9 % compared to 2017. The drought had a particularly negative effect on the reproductive process of crop plants. During the years of research, the number of grains formed in the ear varied from 21.8 to 37.3 pcs. on a plant. Moreover, modern varieties of spring wheat had low resistance to drought, not only in the late stages of development, but also in the early stages. According to laboratory evaluation, their relative drought tolerance averages 32.4%. The interval of genotypic variation of the indicator is in the range from 17.5 to 56.3%. Their seedlings are also characterized by low drought tolerance. Liza, Rima, Melodiya Dona and Bezenchukskaya Niva from the varieties under the study were distinguished by the most distinct ability to resume the initial linear growth of the stem after stress conditions. This can be used in crop breeding as valuable sources of this plant property.