Assessment of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) genotypes for grain yield and quality in breeding programmes under rainfed conditions

The primary goal of durum wheat breeding is to develop new cultivars with high grain yield to feed the growing population and with high quality to meet the requirements of durum wheat end-products. The present study evaluated 24 durum wheat genotypes including 20 advanced lines and 4 cultivars grown in four locations under rainfed conditions. Grain yield and quality traits, namely, hardness index, test weight, kernel weight and diameter, color L,a,b values, vitreousness, protein content, SDS and modified SDS sedimentations were determined. Results showed significant variations in yield and quality traits. Test weight and grain yield varied more across the environments, while color values, hardness index and both SDS sedimentations showed greater variation among genotypes. Kernel diameter, weight, vitreousness and protein content also displayed similar variation among the genotypes and across the environments. Heritability ranged from 0.24 (vitreousness) to 0.99 (color b value). Correlation and biplot analyses identified significant trait relationships. Eight advanced lines exceeded 4,000 kg/ha grain yield in at least one location. Among the tested locations, Ikizce showed the highest average yield (3,601 kg/ha) making it the most suitable for wheat production.