ABSTRACT

Results and observations made in the course of a 17 year breeding programme we presented. Sprouting resistance in fodder triticale is required to ensure stable seed production. Determination of dormancy period and exact evaluation of sprouting in a breeding programme is difficult. For this reason the falling number method is used for comparison of single plant progenies, from the F4 generation onward, and advanced strains. No interdependence is found between test weight and falling number in advanced generations. Although the falling number may not show a good correlation with sprouting, strains with a relatively high value in this test appear to be rather resistant to pre-harvest germination. They are, however, much more subject to environmental variation than sprouting resistant wheats. This variation is caused not only directly by weather conditions, but also by lodging. A marked progress in falling number represented by recent varieties and by some new crossbreds is noted, but it seems that so far only the level of rye has been reached. For further progress research on the dormancy period of triticales of different origin is necessary as well as new germplasm.