Formation of seed quality of spring soft wheat of different biotypes depending on sowing time and predecessor in the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia

The aim of the study was to investigate the development of high-quality seeds in spring soft wheat of various biotypes depending on sowing time and preceding crop in the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia. Long-term research conducted at the Seed Production Department of the Omsk Agricultural Research Center under contrasting conditions from 2015 to 2024 revealed a correlation between wheat seed size and germination ability, as a function of the variety's maturity: the later the wheat variety ripened, the larger its seeds, while the germination energy and viability. Mid-early and mid-season varieties, on the other hand, produced seeds with a lower 1,000-kernel weight but better germination ability. Sowing mid-early and mid-season wheat varieties after fallow and grain crops from May 7 to 28, under all August temperature conditions, was optimal for producing seeds with high sowing properties. Sowing mid-late varieties after fallow from May 7 to 21, and after grain crops from May 7 to 28, regardless of the August temperature, produced wheat seeds of full size and germination ability. Under conditions where the average monthly temperature in August was 19.1-19.3°C, all wheat biotypes experienced a decrease in 1,000-kernel weight with a simultaneous increase in germination energy and laboratory germination. This trend was most pronounced among mid-season and mid-late varieties. Late sowing (early June), as a rule, ensured the production of seeds with low sowing properties in varieties of all maturity groups.