NEW INSIGHTS FOR COMBINING GRAIN YIELD AND QUALITY GAINS IN MODERN DURUM WHEAT VARIETIES ACROSS VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The present study aimed to assess Genotype x Environment interaction for both grain yield and quality performances of Moroccan durum wheat varieties across various agro-ecological locations in order to recommend adapted cultivars for the main wheat-producing areas in Morocco. Twenty-one durum wheat varieties were evaluated for grain yield and quality traits in eleven environments defined as year-location combinations during 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons. The results indicated highly significant effects of genotype, environment and genotype by environment interaction for all parameters. Grain yield and protein content varied from 6.6 t ha-1 and 19% respectively in favorable zone to 1.23 t ha-1 and 8.74% in mountain area. Positive and significant correlations between grain yield and test weight (r=0.28; p<0.001) were recorded, while grain yield exhibited significant and negative correlations with protein (r=-0.41; p<0.001) and gluten contents (r=-0.42; p<0.001) respectively. The GGE biplot analysis identified two low yielding mega-environments including arid, semi-arid, mountain zones, and one high yielding environment representing irrigated and favorable rainfed areas. Most varieties revealed broad adaptation to a wide range of environments for yield parameter. For quality parameters, the grouping of environments varied depending on the traits. High performing environments for protein content include arid and semi-arid zones compared to humid environments. The newly registered varieties ‘Faraj’, ‘Louiza’, ‘Nachit’ and ‘Hamadi’ exhibited a good grain yield level but they outperformed in terms of quality parameters. Regarding varietal mapping recommendations, breeding for specific adaptation within wheat producing region would allow better optimization of varieties performance.