Assessment of flax cultivars by productivity and adaptability in the conditions of the North-Western region of Russia

The purpose of the research is to study different in ecological and geographical origin fiber flax genotypes in terms of flax fiber productivity, adaptability and environmental sustainability in the Pskov region (North-Western region of the Russian Federation). The evaluation of 20 cultivars of flax from the collection of the All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources named after N. I. Vavilov was carried out in 2021–2023 in comparison with the standard ‘Dobrynya’ cultivar. The most favorable hydrothermal conditions of the growing season for the growth and development of flax were formed in 2022, when the hydrothermal coefficient (HTC) was 1.43, and the environmental conditions index (Ij) was +28.1); unfavorable – in 2021 (HTC = 2.07; I_j = -37.8). The average annual yield of flax fiber in these years was 202.8 and 136.9 g/m², respectively. The average yield of the cultivars for 2021–2023 ranged from 117.0...220.7 g/m². Of the 20 cultivars tested, 10 exceeded the average grade yield (174.7 g/m2), 7 exceeded the standard ‘Dobrynya’ cultivar (190.2 g/m²). A statistically significant excess of yield over the standard was noted in cultivars from France (‘Bolchoi’ – 220.7 g/m², ‘Olga’ – 214.5 g/m²) and Belarus (‘Vesta’ – 213.3 g/m²). The cultivars differed considerably in the degree of adaptability and environmental sustainability, as evidenced by significant fluctuations in the values of the indicators: coefficients of variation (CV) – 9,0...38,8 %, adaptivity (KA) – 67.0...126.3 %, plasticity (bi) – 0.41...1.82, stability (Gd2 ) – 2.5...2385.5; yield range (d) – 14.3...62.3 %; stress resistance (Y2 - Y1) – -24.3...-108.2 g/m², genetic flexibility (Y1 + Y2)/2) – 111.8...223.1 g/m², homeostaticity (Hom) – 17.6...58.0, general adaptive capacity (GAC) – -51.5...+46.0 g/m². Based on a comprehensive assessment of flax fiber yield and the above-mentioned indicators, taking into account the ranking principle, highly productive cultivars have been identified that are most adapted to the conditions of the North-West of Russia: ‘Dobrynya’, ‘Tonus’ (Russia); ‘Vesta’, ‘Grant’ (Belarus); ‘Kamenyar’ (Ukraine); ‘Bolchoi’, ‘Olga’ (France), which will be used in breeding for adaptivity.

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