Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Agronomy, Valorization of Natural Biological Resources Laboratory, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Ferhat Abbas Setif-1, Setif, 19000, Algeria
2
Institute of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, University of Mohamed-Cherif Messaadia, Souk Ahras, 41000, Algeria
3
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Natural, Life and Earth Sciences and the Universe, University of Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi, Bordj Bou Arreridj, 34034, Algeria
4
National Agronomic Research Institute of Algeria (INRAA), Setif Research Unit, Setif, 19000, Algeria
5
National Agronomic Research Institute of Algeria (INRAA), Khroub Research Unit, Constantine, 25100, Algeria
6
Department of Ecology and Plant Biology, Valorization of Natural Biological Resources Laboratory, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Ferhat Abbas Setif-1, 19000 Setif, Algeria
Abstract
THE existing work aimed at evaluation of 58 old and modern durum wheat grown under south Mediterranean conditions. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design at two locations (ITGC-AES of Setif and Khroub, Algeria) considered during two successive winter seasons of 2015/16 and 2016/17. Results indicated that, averaged across seasons and locations, modern varieties outperformed older varieties in terms of grain yield, spike number, spike weight, number of kernels per square meter, harvest index, spike fertility and stay green. Old varieties surpassed the modern ones in terms of straw yield, lateness, tallness and flag leaf area. Whereas, modern varieties were stress tolerant and more responsive to improved growth conditions, showing agronomic stability type. Old varieties were characterized by a minimal responsiveness to improved environmental conditions, stress tolerance, and biological stability type. Pearson’s correlation coefficients and path analyses indicate that, in both sources of germoplasm, the strong influence of biomass, spike number, spike fertility and harvest index on grain yield. Physiological traits had negligible direct effects and small indirect effects via biomass, spike number and harvest index. Lastly, principal component analysis revealed that old varieties represent an important gene pool for important traits among which plant height and straw yield. Furthermore, the differences between both sources of germoplasm can be usefully used in breeding program (Gene-bank) to enhance yield potential, stability and resilience to changing climate of the future varieties.
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