Comparative Analysis of Winter Wheat Genotypes of Diverse Origin for Morpho-Physiological Traits in Central Asia.

There are many biotic and abiotic constraints to successful winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in Central Asia. Genetic variation is needed to address these constraints in order to develop improved winter wheat varieties for the region. The region of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and the Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) is rich in wheat related genetic resources.  Besides, improved winter wheat germplasm in the region are also made available from the International Winter Wheat Improvement Program (IWWIP), a cooperative project of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock of Turkey, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). Improved germplasm of winter wheat are also introduced from other regions. The objective of this study was to analyze genotypic variations for morpho-physiological traits in winter wheat germplasm of diverse origin and genetic background. Four sets of germplasm including more than 300 winter wheat genotypes were evaluated in replicated field experiments for maturity, plant height, SPAD value, NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetative Index), peduncle length, spike length, grain yield, and 1000-kernel weight. The winter wheat germplasm significantly differed for all of the above traits.  The genotypes from different origins showed overlapping values for all of the traits evaluated in the study. The germplasm from Central Asia showed arrays of variation for each trait, which were comparable to the advanced breeding lines and improved varieties from other origins. Multivariate analysis showed some general differentiation among certain groups of germplasm. Several sets of superior genotypes were identified for different traits which could be valuable for winter wheat improvement programs in Central Asia and the adjoining regions.