Physio-agronomic performance of spring cultivars T. aestivum and T. spelta grown in organic farming system

One of the goals of organic crop production is to grow species which combinetraditional pro-healthy properties, innovative cultivation practices and harmonywith the environment. Among the ancient species the spring spelt is especiallypredisposed for organic farming. In comparison with common wheat spring spelthas a relatively short research history on physiological analysis of growth anddevelopment. The objective of this study has been to compare the agronomicperformance and growth characteristics of spring varieties of Triticum spelta L. andTriticum aestivum L. cultivated in the organic farming system and sown ondifferent dates. The basis for the research were data from field plot experimentsarranged in completely randomized blocks carried out in 2010 and 2011. Thefactors were cultivars: two cultivars of T. aestivum (Trappe, Waluta) and twocultivars of T. spelta (Roter Sommerkolben, Speltz aus Tzaribrod) and sowingterms: optimal and postponed by two weeks. During the seasons there wereassessed: weed infestation and disease resistance, leaf chlorophyll index, biometricmeasurements associated with plant morphology and yielding and nutritional valueof grains. It was stated that cultivars of T. spelta are more tolerant to unfavorableenvironmental conditions than cultivars of T. aestivum, showing better adaptabilityto habitat conditions, when-due to the worse weather-the uptake of nutrients fromsoil can be limited, stronger competitiveness against weeds and higher tolerance todiseases of leaves and stems. The content of chlorophyll in spelt wheat grown in organic cultivation as well as yields are very stable across years. Underunfavourable weather conditions during the season, spelt wheat can give yieldswhich compare to yields of common wheat, but when in the favorable weatherconditions common wheat varieties generate yields higher by 42% (cv. Trappe) upto 47% (cv. Waluta).