Grain yield performance and stability of winter wheat and triticale cultivars in a temperate climate

Abstract The productivity of modern triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus) cultivars makes them more viable as an alternative to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grains in many environments. We tested 51 winter wheat and 18 winter triticale cultivars in 52 locations nested in six regions in Poland. The aim of the study was to check whether the yield of triticale is comparable with the yield of wheat, especially under unfavorable soil and climatic conditions. The grain yield of winter wheat ranged from 9.22 to 15.72 t ha–1 depending on the region, and the yield of triticale ranged from 9.24 to 14.82 t ha–1. The analysis showed that triticale is well adapted to the temperate environment, and its yield is more stable and less dependent on the weather conditions of the year than that of winter wheat. The results indicated that triticale and wheat grown in lower quality soils will obtain a very similar yield. We also recommend that triticale cultivar selection should be based on specific end use requirements. So far, a similar comparison has been made for Mediterranean and temperate climates, but this is the first work for a transitional temperate climate.