Biological features and selection value of spelt under Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe conditions

The objective of the study is to investigate biological characteristics of naked and hulled spelt acces-sions from the VIR collection in terms of yield structure elements and quality. Objectives: to evaluate na-ked spelt accessions in terms of productivity, grain quality, lodging resistance in the field; to identify valua-ble accessions based on a set of traits. The objects of the study were 18 grain crop accessions, including two varieties of spring durum wheat used as standards, two spelt varieties, and three accessions of spring hulled spelt. Accessions created by V.D. Kobilyansky and A.F. Merezhko were included among naked spelt forms. After harvesting, the elements of crop structure, grain quality, yield, degree of its variation, and coefficient of ecological plasticity and adaptation were determined. It was proven that various plant height parameters in the studied naked and hulled spelt accessions do not affect the increased lodging resistance of crops. Seven spelt accessions combining economically valuable traits were identified for use in practical breeding. When testing 11 naked spelt samples in three contrasting points, 7 samples showed high eco-logical plasticity (bi = 1.38–2.19). The productivity of spelt was mainly associated with productive tillering and the number of spikelets and grains in the spike. At the same time, in naked samples, no significant influence of individual productivity elements on the grain yield was observed. Correlation analysis of the studied spelt samples allowed us to narrow the group of selection traits that have a strong relationship with productivity.