Variability of quantitative and qualitative traits of coloured winter wheat

Abstract The aim of research was to analyse winter wheat of different grain colour and to compare newly bred coloured genotypes from our breeding in grain yield and technological and nutritional quality. The set of seven purple, five blue and four yellow wheats of different origin, including seven newly bred genotypes from Vígľaš-Pstruša, was evaluated in the field experiments established by randomised complete block design in two replications in Piešťany, in the vegetations 2012/13 and 2013/14. In seven wheat varieties differing in grain colours (selected after two of each colour plus control red variety Ilona) anthocyanin composition was evaluated by HPLC analysis. Significant differences were between growing years and among colour groups in most analysed traits. Blue grain newly bred K 3575 699/3 showed the highest anthocyanin content (by 33.5% higher compared to blue grain registered variety Scorpion). However, blue grain genotypes showed negative agronomic traits combined with low number and grain weight per spike and high plant height. In new purple variety PS Karkulka, declared grain yield and its quality were confirmed and the highest mineral content (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) was found in selected set. Purple grain newly bred PS 5711 had lower anthocyanin content (by 17.7%), but in quality it was comparable to PS Karkulka. Varieties with yellow endosperm showed the highest number and weight of grains per spike, however it was significantly lower to Ilona. The breeding goal of coloured winter wheat is still to improve the grain yield as well as additional agronomics traits.