METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES FOR WINTER WHEAT VARIETIES ESTIMATING IN THE JSC SCHELKOVO AGROKHIM ENVIRONMENTAL TEST SYSTEM

Based on multi-location tests with different edaphic and climatic conditions and process approaches to the cultivation of field crops (Oryol, Samara, Nizhny Novgorod, Voronezh), the article dwells on the algorithm of a systemic approach to studying the individual characteristics of 17 varieties and samples of winter wheat, and shows the principles of their selection to form a single system for the purpose of stabilising the production of high-quality grain. Ecological approaches to the assessment of individual characteristics of different wheat varieties allowed identifying bottleneck issues related to the implementation of their adaptive potential, behaviour in the single system of agrobiogeocenosis, specifying the influence of the genotype–environment interaction on the manifestation of individual characteristics. The understanding of these issues makes it possible to develop a process sequence beneficial for the formation of genotypes with high productivity. Following the analysis, the breeds Leonida, Grom and Nemchinovskaya 85 wheat varieties were identified as promising for production in Central Russia. They showed high productivity and proved to be close in terms of sensitivity to growing conditions. In addition, a new wheat variety, Nemchinovskaya 85, demonstrated high quality of grain product. Izumrud Dubovitskogo and DF2020 varieties were distinguished by a high level of adaptive properties, expressed as their superiority in severe conditions of the Volga region and regions with a low level of soil moisture during grain filling. The study also suggests high processability and narrow limits of ecosystem boundaries when using Stork and Sineva wheat varieties in production, which most fully implemented their potential only in the system of intensive cultivation technologies with moderate to increased soil-moisture regimen in the second half of the vegetation season.