Winter wheat variety-husbandry interaction trials (variety performance in a range of environmental and cultural situations)

Abstract

A primary aim of much variety trialling work is to ensure that the most appropriate advice on variety choice is given for any particular situation. It is therefore important to understand genotype x environment interactions.

During the three years of the project, data from 138 trials were investigated. The overall conclusion was that available wheat varieties are widely adapted to many different environments and husbandry practices. The only strong evidence found of variety interaction was with the use of fungicides when the differing genetic disease resistances of varieties gave large differences in performance depending on the use, or not, of fungicides.

Some evidence of the occasional variety interaction with environment or husbandry practice was found but these were not analysed statistically.