RECENT PROGRESS IN TRITICALE BREEDING

In the last few years an interest in the cultivation of triticale arosed, because a new crop proved to be a good alternative for traditional cereals. It was mainly due to introduction of new varieties, as well as broadening of the grain usage. New accessions showed a better agronomic value and generally improved grain features.

It seems that this progress gives a sound basis for a large increase in triticale acreage in Europe. In Germany, triticale was planted in 1992 on 177.9 thousands hectares and in 1993 on 219.4 thousands hectares [1 & 2] in Poland (table 1).

The acreage of triticale was increasing up to 1990 when reached 748.5 thousands hectares, but decreased in successive years owing to difficult economic and growing conditions. A tendency to increase this area appeared this year.

Table 1: The acreage of triticale in Poland in 1988–1993* in thousands ha

1988

1990

1992

1993

549.4

748.5

659.3

667.0

*: according to GUS reports (Central Statistic Office)

Table 2 presents results of a three years variety trial, performed at 6 sites. New Danko varieties are compared to the well known Lasko cultivar, which started triticale cultivation in some European countries and still is considered as international standard. The progress in grain yield and lodging resistance is evident. Some varieties show also an improvement in test weight (Alamo and Vero).

Last year difficult rainy harvest revealed an important drawback of most triticale varieties, that is their susceptibility to sprouting. This character is judged according to the Hagberg-Perten Falling Number Test. Among recently released varieties, Moreno and Prego show superiority to Lasko, which represents a relatively good level of sprouting resistance in the most environments (table 3). Further improvement of this character is one of the main breeding goals.

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