Progress since the 1930s in Breeding for Yield, its Components, and Quality Traits of Spring Wheat in Finland

The contribution of improvements in morphophysiological traits to increased gram yield in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and the achievements of breeding for high bread-making quality in Finland since the 1930s were assessed. Ten wheat cultivars released in Finland between 1939 and 1990 were evaluated in Held experiments at the Viikki Experimental Farm, University of Helsinki, Finland (60°13′N) in 1991 and 1992. Twenty-two traits representing maturity, plant architecture, plant stand structure and N accumulation, and nine quality traits, including protein concentration and protein quality, were assessed. A 20 % increase in grain yield arising from cultivar improvement was associated with a 7 % reduction in height, an 80 % improvement in lodging resistance, and a 15 % higher harvest index (HI). Ear weight was 30 % higher in the modern cultivars. The higher ear weight of the modern cultivars was a result of more grains per ear and a higher spikelet weight. No decrease in vegetative phytomass in modern cultivars was recorded in this study. Grain yield and total N accumulation increased simultaneously and a positive correlation between year of cultivar release and nitrogen index was established. Although use of high N fertilizer application rates resulted in significantly improved baking quality of the flour, no trend between baking quality and year of cultivar release was recorded. The relatively low HI recorded in this study suggests that further yield increases art-likely to be achieved by selecting for higher HI.     

Winter Wheat Cultivar Responses to Fungicide Application are Affected by Nitrogen Fertilization Rate

Foliar fungicides are important management inputs for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in high-yielding areas of Europe, but their effectiveness may interact with cultivar selection and nitrogen (N) fertilization. No information is available on the potential use of fungicides in reducing yield losses from foliar diseases in Croatia, where wheat crop is extensively grown under low N inputs. Field experiments were conducted during 2000–02 to evaluate the agronomic responses of six winter wheat cultivars to fungicide application (tebuconazol around heading) compared with untreated plots at low (67 kg N ha⁻¹) and high (194 kg N ha⁻¹) N fertilization rates. Grain yields tended to increase in all years following fungicide treatment at high N rate by an average of 10.1 % (773 kg ha⁻¹), but improved significantly in one year only at low N rate. When these occurred, yield increases were associated with larger grain weight per ear primarily due to heavier 1000-kernel weight. Cultivars differed in their responses to fungicide application across growing seasons and N fertilization rates. Under low disease pressure in 2000 and 2001, improved yields with fungicide use occurred for few susceptible cultivars only, whereas all cultivars significantly increased yields under higher disease severity in 2002 by an average of 383 kg ha⁻¹ (5.0 %) at low N rate and 1443 kg ha⁻¹ (19.0 %) at high N rate. Following fungicide application at high N rate, some susceptible cultivars outyielded resistant cultivars, whereas opposite responses occurred in untreated plots. High N fertilization rate consistently produced larger grain yields except under high disease severity and no fungicide sprayed in 2002, when it had no benefits at all over low N rate. Fungicide application showed limited importance for wheat performance at low N rate; however, cultivars significantly differed in yield responses as well as in rankings after fungicide use at high N fertilization rate.     

宁夏不同基因型春小麦磷营养的差异

在不同施磷土壤条件下,研究了宁夏春小麦100个基因型的磷营养性状的差异。结果表明,在低磷条件下,小麦籽粒产量和生物学产量在基因型间存在极显著差异（P＜0.01),而在高磷条件下存在显著差异（P＜0.05)。不论施磷与否,茎叶和籽粒中含磷量以及磷吸收累积量、磷利用效率、磷肥利用率和施磷增产率等在基因型间均存在极显著     

Effects of Mediterranean climate on wheat bread-making quality

The unpredictability of the Mediterranean climate causes a large fluctuation in wheat yield and quality but offers the opportunity for the production of high quality wheats which are lacking in the European Union.

This paper describes the effects of nitrogen fertilization rate and timing on five Triticum aestivum L. cultivars differing in bread-making quality, cultivated in six representative Italian sites (years/locations). Nitrogen was applied at each location at two rates, the first corresponding to the amount estimated to maximize grain yield, the second 30% higher. Three timings of nitrogen applications were tested including a late application at the boot stage. Bread-making quality was evaluated with the Chopin alveograph and each sample was assigned to the following qualitative classes of the Italian market: Class 1, improver wheat; Class 2, for direct bread-making; Class 3, ordinary wheat.

Cultivars differed significantly in all agronomic and qualitative traits. Grain yield was highest in the northern location (7.1 t ha⁻¹) and lowest in the south of the Italian peninsula (2.61 ha⁻¹), while in Sicily abundant rains in both years enabled a yield of 6.41 ha⁻¹ to be obtained. As far as bread-making quality is concerned, the greatest proportion of grain samples belonging to Class 1 was obtained from the northern location. The year of cultivation strongly affected quality, particularly with regard to gluten tenacity, in all locations, though the quality ranking of the cultivars remained substantially stable across locations. Nitrogen applications greater than those considered optimal to maximize yield, combined with a better distribution during the life cycle, significantly improved bread-making quality.

It was concluded that high quality wheats can be obtained in a wide range of growing conditions in the Mediterranean climate. However the likelihood of genotype × environment interactions, statistically significant for both yield and quality, call for a more precise management of nitrogen fertilization in relation to the cultivars chosen and the climatic features of each site.     

Polymeric proteins and their association with grain yield in hard red spring wheat lines

Development of high yielding wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties with acceptable end-use quality is a major focus in breeding programs worldwide. Variations in molecular weight (Mw) distribution of endosperm proteins are known to influence end-use quality traits. This paper reports the relationship of the size-exclusion high performance liquid chromatography (SE-HPLC) profile of endosperm proteins with grain yield. Flour samples were previously analyzed for Mw distribution of sodium-dodecyl sulfate (SDS) extractable and unextractable proteins using the SE-HPLC protocol. Correlations were calculated between grain yield and HPLC absorbance data obtained at 0.01-min retention time intervals. Although both SDS-extractable and unextractable proteins had positive correlations with grain protein content, only SDS-unextractable very high Mw polymeric proteins (UVHP) had no negative association with grain yield, while SDS-extractable fractions rich in low Mw polymeric proteins had a negative correlation (r = ?0.41) with grain yield. These results suggest that in an effort to increase grain yield, breeding programs should target grain yield and also increase levels of UVHP and decrease SDS-extractable polymeric proteins, thereby, maintaining acceptable bread-making quality.     

Genetic analysis of flowering and maturity time in high latitude spring wheat

Due to the short growing season in the high northern latitudes, the development of early maturing spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars is important to avoid frost damage which can lower production and quality. We investigated earliness of flowering and maturity, and some associated agronomic traits, using a set of randomly selected high northern latitude adapted spring wheat cultivars (differing in maturity) and their F₁ and F₂ crosses made in a one-way diallel mating design. The parents, and their F₁ and F₂ crosses were evaluated under field conditions over 2 years. Anthesis and maturity times were controlled by both vernalization response and earliness per se genes, mainly acting additively. Non-additive genetic effects were more important in controlling grain fill duration, grain yield and plant height. Additive × additive epistatic effects were detected for all traits studied except time to anthesis. Segregation analyses of the F₂ populations for time to anthesis indicated the presence of different vernalization response genes. Molecular genetic analyses revealed the presence of Vrn-A1 and Vrn-B1 genes in the parental cultivars. Narrow-sense heritability was medium to high (60–86%) for anthesis and maturity times but low to medium (13–55%) for grain fill duration, plant height and grain yield. Selection for early flowering/maturity in early segregating generations would be expected to result in genetic improvement towards earliness in high latitude spring wheats. Incorporation of the vernalization responsive gene Vrn-B1 in combination with vernalization non-responsive gene Vrn-A1 into spring wheats would aid in the development of early maturing cultivars with high grain yield potential for the high latitude wheat growing regions of the northern hemisphere.     

不同类型超级小麦产量构成因素及籽粒产量的通径分析

以8个不同类型的超级小麦新品种（系）为材料,研究了不同土壤肥力条件下3种类型超级小麦的产量构成因素变化及其对籽粒产量的相关分析和通径分析。结果表明,在高肥地力下,大穗型品种和中间型品种的产量高于多穗型品种;而中、低肥力下,多穗型品种的产量又显著高于大穗型品种。在本试验条件下,大穗型和多穗型品种的穗数、     

Differences in grain/straw ratio,protein content and yield in landraces and modern varieties of different wheat species under organic farming

Hulled wheat species (einkorn, emmer, spelt) are presumed to be an alternative to bread wheat in organic agriculture since the yield penalty is less pronounced under organic farming and generally higher prices can be achieved for specialty grains. The present study analyzed differences between wheat species with respect to biomass production, harvest index, grain yield and protein content. Spring hulled wheat genetic resources and bread wheat check cultivars were grown in organic field trials in the Czech Republic and Austria between 2010 and 2012. Generally, hulled wheat species were inferior in grain yield and distribution of assimilates to the grain compared to modern bread wheat. Biomass production of some emmer and spelt landraces was similar to bread wheat. A higher protein content (+3–6 %) was observed for spelt, however, considering protein yield the differences between spelt and bread wheat became less pronounced. With respect to the recent high market demand for spelt and the absence of available spring grown varieties some of the landraces were identified as valuable resources for the development of spring spelt varieties suitable for organic farming.     

小麦产量对中后期氮素胁迫的响应及品种间差异

生育中后期土壤供氮不足是导致小麦减产的重要原因之一。2015—2017年连续2个生长季,选择人工合成六倍体小麦衍生品种(synthetic hexaploid wheat-derived cultivar, SDC)和非人工合成小麦衍生品种(Non-synthetic hexaploid wheat-derived cultivar, NSC)各3个,设置2个施氮水平,研究其产量及相关生理参数对中后期氮素胁迫的响应。SDC包括川麦42、川麦104和绵麦367, NSC包括绵麦37、川农16和川麦30。2个施氮水平为正常施氮处理(Nn, 150kg N hm~(–2),底肥40%、拔节肥60%)和中后期氮胁迫处理(Ns, 60 kg N hm~(–2),全部作底肥)。结果表明,氮胁迫下,两类品种产量均值降幅接近(SDC 19.6%, NSC 20.4%),但正常供氮下SDC产量高于NSC (高14.4%),其氮胁迫下的产量也较高(高15.9%)。氮胁迫下, SDC的生物产量、单位面积粒数均高于NSC。开花期,两类品种在2个氮素水平下的叶面积指数(LAI)接近,但在灌浆中后期的降幅SDC小于NSC,花后22d,SDC在高、低施氮水平下的LAI较NSC分别高25.1%和16.0%。开花灌浆阶段, 2个施氮水平下SDC旗叶和倒二叶SPAD始终高于NSC,氮胁迫下二者的差距增大。两类品种的净光合速率(NPR)和群体光合速率(CAP)的差异也主要出现在灌浆中后期,氮胁迫下SDC以上2个参数较NSC均有优势。氮胁迫下,花后功能叶片的硝态氮、铵态氮、可溶性糖含量SDC也高于NSC。SDC较NSC有更高的氮素利用效率(NUtE),氮胁迫下,二者NUtE的差距增加。以上结果表明,低氮胁迫下SDC的生产力高于NSC,这与其较高的库容、较长叶片功能期有关。     

Expression of seed storage proteins responsible for maintaining kernel traits and wheat flour quality in common wheat under heat stress conditions

Heat stress during grain filling has been documented to decrease wheat grain yield and quality in arid regions worldwide. We studied the effect of heat stress on wheat flour quality in heat tolerant cultivars to define the effects of heat stress on flour quality and to identify germplasm combining traits for heat tolerance and good flour quality. We studied the kernel phenotypic traits, the expression of seed storage proteins (SSPs), and the resulting flour quality under heat and normal conditions. Under heat stress, all cultivars yielded narrow-shaped seeds, and increased protein contents as compared to the control plants grown under normal conditions. The specific sedimentation values used to estimate the gluten quality varied between cultivars. We identified cultivars that could maintain good flour quality under heat stress conditions: ‘Imam’, which possessed the Glu-D1d allele responsible for the suitable bread-making; ‘Bohaine’, which displayed high expression level of SSPs; and ‘Condor’, which possessed slight variations in the ratio of each SSP under heat stress conditions. Combining the desirable traits from these cultivars could yield a wheat cultivar with heat tolerance and good flour quality.     

Diversity of crop development traits and nitrogen use efficiency among potato cultivars grown under contrasting nitrogen regimes

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) requires abundant nitrogen (N) to perform well and has low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). We assessed phenotypic variation among 189 potato cultivars for NUE and the association between NUE and ecophysiological variables describing canopy development (CDv), under high and low N input. In 2009 and 2010, 189 cultivars were grown with N supply (soil N + fertiliser N) of 75 or 180 kg N/ha at Bant, the Netherlands. CDv was assessed weekly as the percentage of soil covered by green potato leaves (%SC). Data were analysed using a model that described CDv as a function of thermal time, based on the Beta function and estimates of cardinal temperatures. Nitrogen significantly affected model-derived, biologically relevant, curve-fit parameters for each cultivar. The t 1 (i.e., thermal time required to reach maximum soil cover (Vx)) was higher at low than at high N. Other parameters were higher at high than at low N, especially Vx and the period over which it was maintained. Nitrogen also affected tuber dry matter yield, tuber size and weight distributions, N content and N uptake but not tuber dry matter percentage. The total area under the %SC curve was highly correlated with yield in both years. Cultivars performing well under high N also performed well under low N. There was large variation in NUE component traits among cultivars; maturity type partially explained this variation. Variables of the CDv model captured this variation, N effects on light interception and its correlation with yield.     

不同粒色小麦籽粒铁锌含量和生物有效性及其对氮磷肥的响应

明确不同粒色小麦籽粒铁锌含量和生物有效性及其对氮磷肥配施的响应, 对小麦高产优质高效生产具有重要意义。本文以6个不同粒色(白粒、红粒和黑粒)小麦品种为材料, 在大田条件下研究了不同氮磷肥配比(N1: 90 kg N hm ^-2; N2: 240 kg N hm ^-2; P1: 60 kg P₂O₅ hm ^-2; P2: 209 kg P₂O₅ hm ^-2)对小麦产量、籽粒铁锌含量及其生物有效性的影响。结果表明, 不同品种籽粒铁锌含量和积累量存在年际间差异, 黑粒小麦具有较高的铁锌生物有效性。小麦籽粒产量、铁锌含量及积累量在N2P1处理下最高; 铁锌生物有效性在N2P2或N2P1处理下最高, 两处理之间没有显著差异。红粒小麦扬麦15和扬麦22在N2P1水平下籽粒铁锌含量及其积累量最高, N2P2次之; 黑粒小麦周黑麦1号和紫麦1号在N2P2水平下铁含量及其积累量最高, N2P1次之; 不同品种的铁锌生物有效性多数在N2P1或N2P2水平下最高, 表明适量增施氮肥, 有利于提高籽粒产量、铁锌含量及其生物有效性。在本试验条件下综合考虑产量和效率, N2P1 (240 kg N hm ^-2、60 kg P₂O₅ hm ^-2)处理对提高产量、增加籽粒铁锌含量及其生物有效性效果最佳。     

Relative performance of Canadian spring wheat cultivars under organic and conventional field conditions

Producing higher yields under organic conditions is generally hampered by weeds and lesser nutrient supply. In wheat certain adaptive traits like early season vigour, taller plants, and shorter life cycle have been reported to help plants compete with weeds and produce satisfactory yields. In this experiment we tested the hypothesis ‘that early flowering and maturity conferred by insensitive vernalization alleles Vrn-A1a and/or Vrn-B1 has a yield advantage under organic conditions’ in Canadian spring wheat germplasm. We genotyped 32 cultivars for their vernalization gene composition (Vrn-A1a, Vrn-B1 and Vrn-D1) and studied these cultivars in organic and conventional management systems. We found 88 % of the cultivars possessed vernalization (Vrn) insensitive allele Vrn-A1a either alone or in combination with Vrn-B1. There were no differential affects between the cultivars having insensitive Vrn allele at either single locus (Vrn-A1a) or two (Vrn-A1a, Vrn-B1) under organic and conventional field conditions; except for days to maturity, where cultivars having only Vrn-A1a allele matured earlier. This earlier maturity did not translate to any yield advantage under organic field conditions. Overall, the cultivars grown under organic conditions were earlier flowering, lower yielding with lower test weight compared to the conventional management system. Significant cultivar × environment interactions were found for grain yield, grain protein content and grain fill rate. For grain protein content, cross-over interactions of the cultivars between the management systems were observed. Three cultivars (Marquis, Unity and Minnedosa) exhibited minimal comparative loss in grain yield and grain protein content under organic field conditions, and hence could potentially serve as parents for organic wheat breeding programs.     

Prediction of parental combination for introduction of stay-green associated loci in wheat

In wheat, the increase of yield and stability associated traits can be achieved by combining parents containing the stay-green trait and favorable alleles for grain yield. The aim of this work was to analyze the genetic dissimilarity between wheat lines from stay-green and synchronized maturation groups and elite cultivars. Moreover, to propose promising combinations seeking the selection of high-grain yield and high bread-making quality genotypes containing stay-green trait. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replications in 2003, 2004, and 2005, using sister-lines with the presence and absence of stay-green trait and elite cultivars. Genetic variability exists among wheat strains from the synchronized stay-green maturation group and elite cultivars. Genotypes of maturation group stay-green obtained an average performance superior to the synchronized group. Crosses between stay-green lines and the CEP 29 and BRS 177 cultivars are promising in the selection of genotypes carrying the stay-green trait with high yield and bread-making quality.     

Analysis of Wheat Cultivar Differences in Grain Yield, Grain Nitrogen Yield and Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency.

More detailed information on the causes of yield variability among wheat cultivars is needed to further increase wheat yield. Field studies were conducted in Northern Greece over the two cropping seasons of 1985—1986 and 1986—1987 to assess the effects of nitrogen fertilizer and application timing of the various component traits that determine grain yield, grain nitrogen yield and nitrogen utilization efficiency of two bread ( Triticum aestivum L.) and two durum ( Triticum durum Desf.) wheat cultivars, using yield and yield component analysis. Nitrogen at a rate of 150 kg ha^-1 was applied before planting or 100 N kg ha^-1 before planting and then 50 N kg ha^-1 top dressed at early boot stage. Nitrogen and cultivars affected all traits examined, while split nitrogen application affected only some of the traits. Grain yields in the most cases were correlated with number of grains per unit area and grain weight and grain nitrogen yields in all cases with grain number per unit area. The contribution of the number of grains per spike to total variation in grain yield among cultivars was almost consistent (37 to 55 %), while the contribution of grain weight was more significant (up to 55 %) in high yields (>6.500kg ha^-1) and number of spikes per unit area (>500). The number of grains per spike contributed from 60 to 83 % to the total variation in grain nitrogen per spike. Increased grain nitrogen concentration resulted in a reduction of its contribution in grain nitrogen yield variation. Nitrogen utilization efficiency was higher during grain filling than during vegetative biomass accumulation. The contribution of nitrogen harvest index to the variation of utilization efficiency for grain yield was higher in plants receiving nitrogen application.     

Effects of Nitrogen and Plant Density on Growth, Yield and Chemical Composition of Two Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cultivars

A field study was conducted on the winter wheat cultivars Arminda and Okapi , using two seed rates (80 and 160 kg/ha) and three N applications (40, 80 and 120 kg/ha).
The cultivars did not differ in total dry matter production but did differ in grain yield. The difference in grain yield was mainly attributable to a higher harvest index (HI).
Increased plant density reduced HI; it resulted in more shoots per m², but in a lower grain yield. The reduction in grain yield was caused by fewer kernels per ear and a lower 1000-grain weight in both cultivars.
A higher rate of N increased total dry matter production and grain yield, except in Okapi at the high plant density. The number of kernels per ear increased, but 1000-grain weight fell.
The higher the N applications, the higher the N-content of the roots was.
Total N yield was greater in Arminda than in Okapi. The cultivars differed in the amount of nitrogen they took up after anthesis.
The content of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) differed between the cultivars, N treatments and growth stages. Carbohydrate formed before anthesis accounted for 23 % of Arminda's grain yield and for 10 % of Okapi's grain yield.
The content of cell-wall constituents (CWC) depended on cultivar, growth stage and the rate of the N dressing. Differences in CWC were more pronounced in Arminda than in Okapi. During leaf, stem and ear development there was a strong increase in content and amount of CWC. Concomitantly, WSC decreased. This implies that a large consumption of WSC is necessary for the formation of CWC. The competition for the WSC, necessary for CWC and shoot and ear development influences kernel initiation. Per unit of dry matter Okapi contained more CWC than Arminda. This was not in agreement with differences in straw sturdiness.     

不同施氮水平和基追比对小麦籽粒品质形成的调控

采用蛋白质含量不同的2个小麦品种,研究了不同施氮水平（112.5 kg N/hm2和225 kg N/hm2）及基追比（基肥∶追肥为66/34和34/66）对小麦植株C-N积累与转运规律及其与小麦籽粒品质形成的关系。结果表明,高氮水平和追肥比例提高了小麦籽粒蛋白质、面筋含量、沉降值和谷/醇溶蛋白比例,降低了花后营养器官贮存氮素和干物质的转     

Selection for high spike fertility index increases genetic progress in grain yield and stability in bread wheat

Spike fertility index (SF) has been proposed as a promising trait to be used as a selection criterion in wheat breeding programs aimed at increasing grain yield, but no actual evidence of its successful application has been reported. In this study, 146 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between ‘Baguette 10’ and ‘Klein Chajá’, Argentinean spring bread wheat cultivars with contrasting SF, were evaluated during three crop seasons (2013, 2014 and 2015) at Balcarce, Argentina. Grain yield, grain number/m², grain weight, and SF were measured at maturity. Changes in grain yield (i.e., responses to selection) after application of different selection strategies, including different selection criteria and selection intensities, were determined. Significant correlations were observed between grain number and grain yield, SF and grain yield, and SF and grain weight. Analysis of SF variance components showed a significant genotype?×?environment interaction, but it represented only 9% of the total variation, whereas 51% of the variation was genetic, resulting in a high narrow-sense heritability (0.84). The use of SF as a selection criterion, either solely or in combination with selection for high yield, increased yield, resulting in higher and more stable yields than if selecting for high yield alone. Our findings support the use of spike fertility index as a selection criterion for increasing genetic progress and stability of yield in bread wheat breeding programs.     

Genetic variation in nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency in a segregating DH population of winter oilseed rape

Genetic variation in nitrogen (N) use efficiency, N uptake, and N utilization was analyzed in a doubled haploid (DH) population derived from winter oilseed rape cultivars. The aim was to analyze the relative importance of uptake and utilization efficiency and to identify parameters that allow an easy selection of N efficient genotypes. Fifty-four DH lines were tested in four to seven environments at two levels of N supply: no fertilization and 240 kg N ha^?1. N uptake efficiency is defined as the amount of N acquired by a genotype as the proportion of the N available in the soil. N utilization efficiency is measured as unit grain yield per unit of N taken up. Significant genotypic variation was observed for both uptake and utilization efficiency. At low N supply, variation in N efficiency was mainly the result of differences in uptake efficiency. Seed yield was correlated positively with N uptake and N utilization efficiencies at low N supply and with N uptake at high N supply. The correlation was positive between harvest index (HI) and N use efficiency at both N levels (r = 0.45**; r = 0.36**) and for HI and N utilization at low N supply (r = 0.46**), indicating that a shorter plant ideotype might be more N efficient. The interaction between genotypes and N supply for grain yield was highly significant, and the correlation between low N and high N was of only medium size (r = 0.60**), suggesting the possibility of selecting genotypes with specific adaptation to low N supply.     

Pattern analysis on grain yield performance of Chinese and CIMMYT spring wheat cultivars sown in China and CIMMYT

Understanding the relationships among testing environments is essential for better targeting cultivars to production environments. To identify patterns of cultivar, environment, cultivar-by-environment interactions, and opportunities for indirect selection for grain yield, a set of 25 spring wheat cultivars from China and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) was evaluated in nine environments in China and four management environments at CIMMYT in Cd. Obregon, Mexico, during two wheat seasons. Genetic background and original environment were the main factors influencing grain yield performance of the cultivars. Baviacora M 92, Xinchun 2 and Xinchun 6 showed relatively more stable and higher grain yields, whereas highly photoperiod sensitive cultivars Xinkehan 9, Kefeng 6 and Longmai 19 proved consistently inferior across environments, except in Harbin and Keshan, the two high latitude environments. Longmai 26, also from high latitude environments in the north-eastern Heilongjiang province, was however probably not as photoperiodicly sensitive as other cultivars from that region, and produced much higher grain yield and expressed a broader adaptation. None of the environments reported major diseases. Pattern analyses revealed that photoperiod response and planting option on beds were the two main factors underlying the observed interactions for grain yield. The production environment of planting on the flat in Mexico grouped together with Huhhot and Urumqi in both wheat seasons, indicating an indirect response to selection for grain yield in this CIMMYT managed environment could benefit the two Chinese environments. Both the environment of planting on the flat with Chinese Hejin and Yongning, and the three CIMMYT environments planting on raised beds with Chinese Yongning grouped together only in one season, showing that repeatability may not be stable in this case.