EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL IRRIGATION ON YIELD AND BREAD- MAKING QUALITY OF WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) VARIETIES UNDER THE MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATICAL CONDITIONS

This study was conducted to determine the suitable irrigation dose (0, 40, 80 and 120 mm) to compansate yield and bread-making quality of four common wheat varieties under the Mediterranean ecological conditions for two years. Grain yields of Pamukova, Sagittario, Fiorino and Golia ranged between 2864 kg ha (Golia, 0 mm) and 6021 kg ha (Sagittario, 80 mm). The supplemental irrigation caused the grain yield to increase significantly up to 58%. The highest grain yields could be ensured with a supplemental irrigation of 80 mm. The protein content, sedimentation value and gluten index among the bread making quality parameters have been found to be at the highest levels for all varieties in both trial years when no supplemental irrigation has been applied. Increases of gluten index were observed with supplemental irrigations. Optimum levels of quality characteristics were obtained with 80 mm supplemental irrigation which is also suited to the level of the highest grain yield. Thus it could be suggested that in order to combine acceptable quality characteristics with the highest grain yield in the region, a supplemental irrigation up to 80 mm could be applied.