Variability of yield and ear productivity traits of soft winter wheat in the Northern Subzone of the Ukrainian Steppe

This study was aimed at analyzing promising varieties of soft winter wheat for the selection of high-quality breeding material under the conditions of the Northern Subzone of the Ukrainian Steppe. The research has been conducted during 2022–2024 in the experimental field of the Scientific and Educational Center for Practical Training of the Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University. The study material consisted of 12 varieties of soft winter wheat (Bohynia, Vezha, Dyvo, Ihrysta, Komertsiina, KSV 34, Podolianka, Peremoha, Palitra, Spivanka, Oleksiivka, and Yuzovska). The productivity parameters were determined along with the ecological plasticity and stability of the varieties and the duration of the vegetation period. The varieties were compared with the national standard, Podolianka. Therefore, the most productive varieties on average over the years of research in terms of the number of grains per spike and the number of spikelets per spike were Vezha, Palitra, Komertsiina, Spivanka, and Peremoha. In terms of grain weight per spike and spike weight, the varieties Spivanka, Yuzovska, KSV 34, and Bohynia were distinguished. Over the years, the varieties Spivanka, Oleksiivka, Dyvo, and Yuzovska exceeded the standard in thousand-grain weight, while the varieties Komertsiina and Peremoha showed lower weights. Regarding yield, the varieties Spivanka, Vezha, Yuzovska, and Palitra outperformed the standard. In terms of ecological plasticity, the most stable and adaptable varieties were Ihrysta, Peremoha, Komertsiina, Palitra, and Podolianka. By contrast, the most intensive and less stable varieties were Spivanka, Vezha, and Dyvo. The obtained data enabled the assessment of the stability of spike productivity elements and facilitated the identification of high-performing varieties for further use in breeding programs.