Results of the study of drought resistance of durum wheat and its components in Western Siberia

Durum wheat Triticum durum Desf. is one of the most valuable agricultural crops. It is necessary to increase its grain production to improve the food supply of population and improve the export potential. The negative impact of drought and elevated temperatures on crops is increasing due to climate change. To reduce crop losses, it is necessary to create varieties adapted to stress conditions. The object of research was 20 varieties of spring T. durum wheat originated in various Russian regions and abroad. Field studies were carried out in the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia (Omsk) in 2021-2022. The 2021 season was characterized by a long severe drought (HTC = 0.65), and in 2022, insufficient humidification was noted between I decade of May and II decade of July. Later precipitation favorably affected seed generation and grain filling (HTC = 0.99). The experiments were carried out on plots of 3 m2 in 3 replications and in optimal time for sowing. In 2021, the average yield of varieties was 2.0 t/ha, in 2022 2.9 t/ha. The cultivars that had the highest average yield in two years were Taganrog (3.29 t/ha), Zhemchuzhina Siberi (3.05 t/ha), Omsk coral (2.90 t/ha), Omsk corund (2.87 t/ha), Bezenchukskaya 205 (2.94 t/ha) and Tselinnitsa (2.88 t/ha). There was strong correlation between the grain yield per plant with grain weight and the number of grains of the main ear, and the average one with the number of productive stems, the number of spikelets in the ear, and 1000 grain weight. Additionally, the following morpho-physiological properties of plants affecting water balance were determined: root mass, plant water retention capacity (PWRC), and water content in tissues. It was found that the indicators of the development of the root system and PWRC were combined in cultivars independently. According to the data of studying of yield traits and morphophysiological properties formed during the periods “shoots - stem elongationˮ and “earing - milk-wax ripenessˮ, a cluster analysis was carried out. Groups of varieties with different combinations of traits were identified. The information obtained can be used for breeding durum wheat cultivars optimally combining drought resistance mechanisms.