Variability of 1000-grain weight and productivity of mutant populations of spring common WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) in the northern Trans-Urals

The purpose of the current study was to determine the variability of 1000-grain weight of mutant samples of the fifth (M 5 ), sixth (M 6 ) and seventh (M 7 ) generations of spring common wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) in correlation with other traits in the Northern Trans-Urals. During three growing seasons (2021–2023), 29 mutant samples of the fifth (M 5 ), sixth (M 6 ), and seventh (M 7 ) generations were tested in field trials. Mutations were induced using the chemical mutagen phosphemid after treating seeds of the varieties ‘Scant 3’ (Russia), ‘Cara’ (Mexico), and the hybrid F 4 (‘Cara’ x ‘Scant 3’). There have been established significant differences in 1000-grain weight and grain productivity among mutants that exceeded the original forms. High indicators of the trait ‘1000-grain weight’ were found in promising mutants compared to zoned (control, standard) varieties (‘Tyumenskaya 25’, ‘Tyumen- skaya 29’, ‘Novosibirskaya 31’). There has been identified a reliable (p < 0.05) positive correlation between 1000-grain weight and productivity (r = 0.680–0.760), grain weight per ear (r = 0.691–0.703), plant height (r = 0.478–0.586), width (r = 0.370–0.371) and area (r = 0.391) of a flag leaf, number of plants (r = 0.342) and productive shoots (r = 0.336) per 1 m 2 , and a negative correlation with length of ears (r = -0.493) and number of grains per ear (r = -0.387). The study results of variability and correlation between traits has shown that the trait ‘1000-grain weight’ can be used as a parameter for selecting valuable genotypes. The mutants with the best grain size and productivity, with good indices protein and hardiness represent a genetic resource for spring common wheat breeding programs in certain agroecological conditions.