Bc INSTITUTE FOR BREEDING AND PRODUCTION OF FIELD CROPS
Marulicev trg 5/1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.

 

Slobodan Tomasovic, Rade Mlinar, Branko Palaverasic, Ivica Ikic, and Kristijan Puakaric.

 

Winter wheat breeding at the Bc Institute­Zagreb with special reference to resistance to the main fungus diseases with the goal of protecting environment. [p. 22]

Breeding and genetics work at the Bc Institute for Breeding and production of Field Crops is a constituent part of the program for winter wheat cultivars for Croatia. A very successful activity by the Bc Institute in the area winter wheat breeding, the results of which are known both in Croatia and abroad. Wheat breeders at the Bc Institute-Zagreb have created 81 winter wheat cultivars since 1964, when the first cultivar Vuka was introduced. By its genetic potential the fruitfulness of these cultivars presents top achievements in the selection. Of 31 cultivars, some were strong standards (Baranjka and Korona, Hungary), and Marija, introduced in 1988, is still a strong standard in the Republic of Slovenia. The Croatian Committee also has strong standards (Zlatna Dolina and Super Zlatna), among which is the highly successful and stable cultivar Sana, introduced in 1983. In our breeding program, considerable attention has been given to resistance to fungal diseases. The Croatian breeders have been successful in developing resistant cultivars that have been used in commercial production and represent a source of resistance for breeding purposes. We are increasingly concerned about not polluting the environment and about producing food without using chemicals. Wheat breeders and geneticists are expected to develop cultivars that can grow with less chemical inputs.

 

Sources of resistance in wheat and crosses of the F1 and F1 x F1 generations in resistance to Fusarium graminearum. [p. 22]

Over 1,500 sources of resistance to Fusarium were tested under artificial infection and seven genotypes were chosen and intercrossed using partial diallel crosses. The level of resistance differed markedly, ranging from 0.65 to 3.69 (on a 0-5 scale). Improved level of resistance was obtained in the F1 generation and in 'F1 x F1' crosses in several combinations. Additive gene effects (i.e., minor gene effects) and dominance were noticed. The highest level of resistance was found in the F1 and crosses involving the cultivars Bizel and Poncheau.

 

Testing for high quality in Bc winter wheat cultivars in large-scale trials. [p. 22]

The Bc winter wheat cultivars Zdenka, Mihelca, and Aura were evaluated for their rheological properties in large-scale trials at Vinkovci, Belje, and Kutjevo in 2001-02, 2002-03, and 2003-04. Laboratory testing included wet-gluten quantity and farinographic and extensographic measurements. The rheological properties of Zdenka, Mihelca, and Aura proved that they had a high genetic potential for stabile technological quality in the kernel and flour. Flour from these cultivars contributes to higher nutritive value in baking products.

 

Yield of Bc winter wheat cultivars from large-scale trials in 2005. [p. 23]

Bc winter wheat cultivars also were tested in large-scale trials in Croatia in 2004-05. The trials included both cultivars developed by domestic breeding companies and introductions, covering the majority of winter wheats grown in Croatia. The trials were at Belje, Vinkovci, and Kutjevo in 2005. Performance data of the Bc winter wheats again proved that these cultivars possess the genetic potential for high grain yield. Bc Institute wheats can assure high and stable yields for wheat producers.

 

Publications. [p. 23]