Evaluation of perennial wheat samples from international collection CIMMYT as an initial material for winter wheat breeding under conditions of the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia

To expand the genetic diversity of winter wheat varieties created, the use of the potential of the international collection of perennial wheat is one of the topical areas. On the experimental field of Omsk State Agrarian University in 2019-2022 with annual sowing as winter crops, five accessions of perennial wheat-wheat grass hybrids (WWGHs) obtained by crossing common wheat varieties with wheatgrass species Th. ponticum , Th. elongatum , and Th. intermedium from the international collection CIMMYT (Mexico). Field and laboratory research methods were used. It was established that accessions 235A and Otrastayushchaya 38 obtained on the basis of elongated wheatgrass ( Th. elongatum ) and medium wheatgrass ( Th. intermedium ) were distinguished by higher winter hardiness (on average 78 and 90%). Accessions 11955, TAF46, and Otrastayushchaya 38 are capable of producing an acceptable yield level under conditions of the southern forest steppe of Western Siberia (in average 239-289 g/m2), and are promising for breeding winter wheat to expand genetic diversity and increase resistance to abiotic environmental factors. In general, samples of perennial wheat formed a significantly lower mass of thousand kernel weight in comparison with the winter standard. Under conditions of dry years, a significant correlation of the thousand kernel weight was noted with the upper internode length (r = 0.54, 2019), the flag leaf length (r = 0.55-0.71), and productive tillering (r = 0.55-0.70). According to the cluster analysis, it was found that the thousand kernel weight constitutes a single cluster with the grain weight of the plant and productive tillering, in 2019-2020 with these traits, an average correlation was noted (r = 0.55-0.73). It is noted that when selecting perennial wheat plants with an increased thousand kernel weight, it is advisable to take into account the identified associations. Depending on the meteorological conditions of the year, accessions 11955, TAF46, and Otrastayushchaya 38 formed an acceptable yield level (average 239-289 g/m2).