Evaluation of Fifty New Bread Wheat Genotypes Under Duhok Rainfall Conditions

This field experiment assessed the performance of 50 newly introduced bread wheat genotypes acquired from the ICARDA agency. The genotypes were sown under rainfall conditions at two separate locations at the end of November 2022. The planting was organized in lines spanning three meters in length and 0.5-meters apart. The study employed a randomized complete block design. The findings showed significant variations among the bread wheat genotypes for all evaluated traits, except for flag leaf area and spike length, across both locations. This pattern persisted in the interaction between genotypes and locations with the Zenawa location outperforming Semel. Subsequently, to advance the program, ten superior genotypes (G1, G6, G7, G12, G13, G25, G27, G37, G38, and G40) were selected based on their high yield and favorable growth traits. These were subject to further investigation in three separate locations during the winter season of 2023-2024. This research initiative received support from the MCC and ZSVP organizations, underscoring the collaborative efforts driving the investigation. This study offers valuable insights into the adaptability and productivity of recently introduced bread wheat genotypes, with implications for future breeding programs and agricultural practices to enhance wheat cultivation in Iraq under diverse environmental conditions