Towards stable wheat grain yield and quality under climatic instability

Global wheat production is likely to be affected by projected warming and water scarcity. As climate changes faster than breeding, we focused on genotypic environmental effects grain quality of present cultivars. To mimic the continuous challenges farmers face given erratic rainy seasonal temperature pattern East-Mediterranean, 15 commercial hard spring (HSW) cultivars were evaluated in Gilat Research Center, Israel, over four seasons constituting 33 independent dryland field environments. Grains HSW samples from experimental nurseries across Israel three also analyzed represent East Mediterranean agro-climatic span. Samples for yield traits. High humidity mild-temperature during filling associated with higher production, flour extraction, dough extensibility; whereas high precipitation was mainly lower protein, gluten content, tenacity. Correlation between protein content wet environment cultivar dependent, as a specific phase plays major factor some cultivars, while others are more temperature, humidity, or other factors. Test weight index showed clearest relation performance variation, enabling identify stability Stable acceptable market, however, if parameter highly important millers and/or bakers then this under multiple growth conditions might serve decision support tool on-farm selection. This article protected copyright. All rights reserved