Agronomic and qualitative characteristics of ten bread wheat hybrids produced using a chemical hybridizing agent

Summary Ten experimental hybrids derived from the crossing of representative Italian pure-line varieties were grown at three locations in 1984–85. The amount of F₁ seed produced from the crossings ranged from 1.5 up to 4 kg per plot of 20 m². Hybrid purity was on average 88% when estimated through the growout test and 82% when estimated through acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A-PAGE) of gliadin.All the hybrids showed high-parent heterosis for plant height. Grain yield was higher in the hybrids (71.1 q/ha) than in the female parents (66.5 q/ha); the range of mid-parent heterosis being-10% to +17%. Four hybrids showed standard heterosis (yield advantage). The highest value (+6%) was obtained with the combinations Chiarano x Leopardo and Claudia x Leopardo. Among yield components, the number of spikelets/spike proved to be an important trait and may explain the superiority of the hybrids over the traditional varieties.The bread-making quality appeared intermediate to that of the parents or closer to that of the poorest parental variety.