NEW VARIETY OF SOFT WINTER WHEAT IS FELICIA
The aim of our research is to create and introduce new drought-resistant varieties of winter soft wheat adapted to the conditions of the Central region of Russia. New varieties should have a high and stable yield, resistance to lodging, adverse environmental factors and the defeat of the most harmful diseases, but at the same time, having high indicators of grain quality. This article presents the morphological and economic and biological characteristics of a new medium-ripe variety of winter soft wheat Felicia, introduced in 2019. in the State register of breeding achievements of the Russian Federation in the Central region. The variety of winter soft wheat Felicia was created in ISA-branch of FGBNU FNAC VIM by intraspecific complex-step hybridization followed by individual selection from the hybrid population F [(Don region x Inna) x Memory Fedina) x Memory Fedina]. Authors of the variety are Anokhin N.P., Barkovskaya T.A., Gladysheva O.V., Ushakova E.Yu. Variety is erythrospermum. The ear is white, spinous, pyramidal, mean density. The grain is red, semi-elongated form with a pronounced pappus. Beak of opening chords have a medium length, slightly curved, shoulder rounded, medium width. The height of the plants is 75-85 cm. High adaptability to local climatic conditions of the new variety is manifested primarily in yield stable by years, the maximum reached 9.79 t / ha in 2017. On average, over the last 5 years of study (2015-2019) it amounted to 7.5 t / ha exceeding the standard Angelina variety by 0.62 t / ha. The new variety has a high productivity (more than 9.5 t / ha). It was found that the high yield of Felicia is associated with increased water content of the ear and the weight of 1000 grains. In terms of grain quality, the new variety is not inferior to the standard grade Аngelina, which is included in the list of valuable wheat of Russia. The new variety of winter soft wheat “Felicia” meets the requirements of modern production. It is drought resistant, has good baking capabilities and is adapted to the Russia Central region’s conditions. The Felicia variety is recommended to be cultivated on dark gray forest, soddy podzolic soils, chernozems in accordance with the generally accepted varietal technology of winter crops. Sowing dates are optimal for the agricultural zone. The seeding rate is 5.0 million pcs / ha.