ASSESSMENT OF ADAPTABILITY OF SPRING WHEAT VARIETIES AT DIFFERENT VARIETY MATCHING PERIODS USING GGE BIPLOT ANALYSIS

Increasing yield potential is one of the most significant areas of breeding. The purpose of research was to evaluate the productivity and adaptability of spring soft wheat varieties at different breeding periods using GGE biplot analysis and to identify representative and differentiating environments (years). The study was carried out from 2017 to 2024 in Middle Volga region, using a model set of 18 spring soft wheat varieties representing the variety changeover period in Ulyanovsk region. Environmental conditions (years) had the primary influence on yield variation, explaining 48.14% of the variance. The second most significant contribution was from the variety, accounting for 35.63%. The interaction “genotype × environment” had the smallest effect on yield variability in the experiment – 11.63%. GGE biplot analysis assessing yield, adaptability and stability revealed that Nikon, Burlak and Ekada 214 varieties, included in the State Register in recent years, are highly valuable. This is due to their ability to realize genetically high yield potential combined with the stability of yield formation across a wide range of weather and climate conditions, unlike varieties from earlier periods of variety rotation – Lutestsens 62, Saratovskaya 36 and Volzhanka. Nikon variety demonstrated the highest average yield over the years of research (4.41 t/ha). Biplot analysis revealed its closeness to the “ideal” genotype in terms of productivity and stability. In descending order of yield from Nikon, the following varieties are listed: Ekada 214 (4.27 t/ha), Burlak (4.21 t/ha), Ulyanovskaya 105 (4.19 t/ha), Ekada 70 (3.82 t/ha), Margarita (3.79 t/ha), Simbirtsit (3.80 t/ha) and Ulyanovskaya 100 (3.82 t/ha).