Registration of Ilani and Oda Durum Wheat Varieties for Highlands of Bale

Two durum wheat (Triticum durum desf.) varieties: Ilani (DZ 2234) and Oda (DZ 2227) developed by Sinana Agricultural Research Centers were released for production in highlands of Bale similar agro ecologies. These varieties were selected and evaluated at Sinana on-station and three onfarms in highlands of Bale for three consecutive years and they were proved to have stable, high yield and superior industrial qualities. They were also proved to have resistance to stem, yellow and leaf rusts. Multilocation testing in the regional variety trial confirmed their productivity with above-average yield performance in all environments and demonstrated their yield stability compared to the commercial durum wheat cultivars Foka, Cocorit-71 and Ingiliz. 1. Agronomic and Morphological Characteristics The agronomic and morphological characteristics of Ilani and Oda varieties, and the checks are given in appendices I and II. 2. Yield Performance Multilocation testing was conducted within the regional variety trial, which consisted 20 durum wheat genotypes including two standard checks (Foka and Cocorit-71) and one local check (Ingiliz). The trial was grown at four sites for three consecutive years covering the durum wheat growing environments in the highlands of Bale. The results of the trial provided useful information on variety adaptation and yield stability. Yield performance of the multilocation testing for promising genotypes among the twenty genotypes is summarized in Table 1. Location by year mean yields of each of varieties Ilani and Oda were higher than all entry mean yields for the tested seasons. They were also higher than the mean yields of the two standard checks, Foci and Cocotit-71, and a local check (Ingiliz). Based on the grand mean, Oda out yielded the standard check, Foka by 17.5% and Local check by 12.8% and Ilani out yielded Foka by 11.4% and the local check by 7%. These two varieties also proved to have higher average yield ranges (Table 1). In addition, Oda was the top yielder at six environments and Ilani at four environments. In conclusion, the yield performance of the varieties was above average in many environments, and both varieties were superior to Foka and Ingiliz in their grand mean. 3. Stability Performance Regression coefficients (b) and deviation from regression (Sd) were calculated as stability parameters for three years. Eberhart and Russell (1966) defined a stable variety as one with unity regression coefficient and small deviations from regression. Accordingly, Ilani was stable for two seasons (1999/2000, and 2000/2001), and Oda for one season (2000/2001), Foka for two season (1999/2000, and 2000/2001), and Kilinto for one season (1999/2000). It can thus be concluded that Ilani is the best in yield stability and superior to the check varieties, and the genotype Oda is comparable in stability to Foka. 4. Reaction to Stem, Yellow and Leaf Rusts Reactions to stem, yellow and leaf rusts were recorded for all genotypes at all sites (Table 1). The scores of the two varieties were less than 20Ms; therefore, the varieties may be considered to have adequate resistance to all the three rust diseases. However, all checks were found to be susceptible to ether of the three rusts relative to the newly released varieties. Therefore, the varieties are more resistant to the three rusts. 5. Quality Analysis The quality analysis of both physical grain analysis and chemical wheat flour analysis were presented in Tables 2 and 3, respectively. The result showed that both Ilani and Oda varieties have the best hectoliter weight and vitreousness qualities from physical quality parameters, and best wet gluten and falling number from chemical quality parameters. These released varieties were highly appreciated and accepted by food factories as their quality met required standards. 6. Conclusions The durum wheat varieties Ilani and Oda had above average yield performance in most test environments, out yielded the Foka and Ingiliz. They have also better yield stability than checks. They are more resistant to stem, yellow and leaf rust diseases, have good agronomic characteristics, and are superior in quality. They are, therefore, released for production in all wheat growing environments in the highlands of Bale and other locations with similar agro ecologies. 7. Reference Eberhart, S.A. and W.A. Russell. 1966. Stability parameters for comparing varieties. Crop Science 6: 36-40 pdfMachine by Broadgun Software a great PDF writer! a great PDF creator! http://www.pdfmachine.com http://www.broadgun.com


Agronomic and Morphological Characteristics
The agronomic and morphological characteristics of Ilani and Oda varieties, and the checks are given in appendices I and II.

Yield Performance
Multilocation testing was conducted within the regional variety trial, which consisted 20 durum wheat genotypes including two standard checks (Foka and Cocorit-71) and one local check (Ingiliz). The trial was grown at four sites for three consecutive years covering the durum wheat growing environments in the highlands of Bale. The results of the trial provided useful information on variety adaptation and yield stability. Yield performance of the multilocation testing for promising genotypes among the twenty genotypes is summarized in Table 1.
Location by year mean yields of each of varieties Ilani and Oda were higher than all entry mean yields for the tested seasons. They were also higher than the mean yields of the two standard checks, Foci and Cocotit-71, and a local check (Ingiliz). Based on the grand mean, Oda out yielded the standard check, Foka by 17.5% and Local check by 12.8% and Ilani out yielded Foka by 11.4% and the local check by 7%. These two varieties also proved to have higher average yield ranges (Table 1). In addition, Oda was the top yielder at six environments and Ilani at four environments. In conclusion, the yield performance of the varieties was above average in many environments, and both varieties were superior to Foka and Ingiliz in their grand mean.

Stability Performance
Regression coefficients (b) and deviation from regression (S 2 d) were calculated as stability parameters for three years. Eberhart and Russell (1966) defined a stable variety as one with unity regression coefficient and small deviations from regression. Accordingly, Ilani was stable for two seasons (1999/2000, and 2000/2001), and Oda for one season (2000/2001), Foka for two season (1999/2000, and 2000/2001), and Kilinto for one season (1999/2000). It can thus be concluded that Ilani is the best in yield stability and superior to the check varieties, and the genotype Oda is comparable in stability to Foka.

Reaction to Stem, Yellow and Leaf Rusts
Reactions to stem, yellow and leaf rusts were recorded for all genotypes at all sites (Table 1). The scores of the two varieties were less than 20Ms; therefore, the varieties may be considered to have adequate resistance to all the three rust diseases. However, all checks were found to be susceptible to ether of the three rusts relative to the newly released varieties. Therefore, the varieties are more resistant to the three rusts.

Quality Analysis
The quality analysis of both physical grain analysis and chemical wheat flour analysis were presented in Tables 2 and 3, respectively. The result showed that both Ilani and Oda varieties have the best hectoliter weight and vitreousness qualities from physical quality parameters, and best wet gluten and falling number from chemical quality parameters. These released varieties were highly appreciated and accepted by food factories as their quality met required standards.

Conclusions
The durum wheat varieties Ilani and Oda had above average yield performance in most test environments, out yielded the Foka and Ingiliz. They have also better yield stability than checks. They are more resistant to stem, yellow and leaf rust diseases, have good agronomic characteristics, and are superior in quality. They are, therefore, released for production in all wheat growing environments in the highlands of Bale and other locations with similar agro ecologies.