ECOBREED FARMERS

PARTICIPATORY FIELD TRIALS

2022





Aleš Kolmanič



Oddelek za poljedelstvo,

vrtnarstvo, genetiko in žlahtnjenje





Izdal / Published by

KMETIJSKI INŠTITUT SLOVENIJE

Ljubljana, Hacquetova ulica 17

Direktor/Director Prof Dr Andrej SIMONČIČ



Urednika / Edited by

Vladimir MEGLIČ, Andreja ŽIBRAT GAŠPARIČ



Avtorji / Authors

Werner VOGT-KAUTE, Miroslava APACSOVÁ-FUSKOVÁ, Caterina BĂDUȚ, Maria BERNHART, Paul BILSBORROW, Luca BONFIGLIOLI, Adam BREZÁNI, Rastislav BUŠO, Marion CHAMPAILLER, Peter DOLNIČAR, Vuk ĐORĐEVIĆ, Soňa GAVURNÍKOVÁ, Heinrich GRAUSGRUBER, Roman HAŠANA, Pavol

HAUPTVOGEL, Katarína HRČKOVÁ, Katarina JANOVICKOVÁ, Dagmar JANOVSKÁ, Bojan JOCKOVIĆ, Aleš KOLMANIČ, Gheorghe LĂMUREANU, Ľubica MALOVCOVÁ, Ľubomír MENDEL, Peter MIKÓ, Simon OGRAJŠEK, Mario PAGNOTTA, Aurel PETRUȘ, Jarosław PLICH, Zsolt POLGÁR, Anna PEARCE, Ionuț STAN, Beata TATAROWSKA, Ion TONCEA, Ieva URBANAVIČIŪTĖ, Marjana VASILJEVIĆ





Fotografije / Photos

Vse fotografije so posneli avtorji / All photos were taken by the authors



Pregledala in lektorirala / Proofreading

Paul Bilsborrow, Andreja Žibrat Gašparič



Oblikovna zasnova naslovnice / Cover design

AV Studio d.o.o.



Elektronska verzija je dostopna na spletni strani Kmetijskega inštituta Slovenije (www.kis.si) /

Electronic version is available on the Agricultural institute of Slovenia webpage (www.kis.si)





Kataložni zapis o publikaciji (CIP) pripravili v Narodni in univerzitetni knjižnici v Ljubljani

COBISS.SI-ID 161595651

ISBN 978-961-6998-71-0 (PDF)



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ECOBREED

Farmers Participatory Field

Trials 2022





Ljubljana, 2023





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Table of contents

1. Introduction................................................................................................................. 9

2. Wheat ......................................................................................................................... 11

2.1. Wheat farmer participatory trials in the UK ............................................................................... 11

2.2. Wheat farmer participatory trials in Austria ............................................................................... 25

2.3. Wheat participatory field trials in the Slovak Republic ............................................................. 30

2.4. Wheat farmer participatory trials in Serbia ................................................................................ 38

2.5. Durum wheat trials in Italy............................................................................................................ 41

2.6. Participatory plant breeding in Hungary..................................................................................... 45

2.7. Wheat farmers participatory field trials in Slovenia .................................................................. 54

3. Soybean ...................................................................................................................... 60

3.1. Soybean participatory trials in Serbia ......................................................................................... 60

3.2. Soybean trials in Germany and Austria ....................................................................................... 63

3.3. Soybean farmers participatory field trials in Slovenia .............................................................. 69

3.4. Soybean farmer participatory trials in Romania ........................................................................ 74

4. Potato ......................................................................................................................... 84

4.1. Potato farmer participatory trials in Slovenia ............................................................................ 84

4.2. Potato farmer participatory trials and breeding in Poland ...................................................... 91

4.3. Potato farmer participatory trials in Hungary ..........................................................................101

5. Buckwheat ............................................................................................................... 109

5.1. Buckwheat farmer participatory trials in the UK .....................................................................109

5.2. Buckwheat farmers participatory field trials in Slovenia ........................................................115

5.3. Buckwheat field trials in the Czech Republic ............................................................................120





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List of tables

Table 1. Grain yield t/ha from all 4 FPT sites presented @15% moisture content. ..................................................................... 15

Table 2. Grain yields (t/ha @15% moisture content) from Thornton Farm* in response to Fixio application in the 2021-22

season. ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 16

Table 3. Grain yields (t/ha) @15% moisture content from Gilchesters* in response to Fixio application in the 2021-22

season. ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 17

Table 4. Grain yields (t/ha) @15% moisture content from Nisbet Hil in response to Fixio application in the 2021-22 season.

............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 17

Table 5. Septoria leaf blotch and yel ow rust disease levels from Nisbet Hill Farm on 20 June, 5 and 18 July in the 2021-22

season. ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 18

Table 6. Septoria leaf blotch and yel ow rust disease levels from Newlands Farm on 20 June and 5 July in the 2021-22

season. ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 19

Table 7. Septoria leaf blotch and yel ow rust disease levels recorded from Thornton Farm on 20 June and 5 July in the

2021-22 season. ................................................................................................................................................................................. 20

Table 8. Septoria leaf blotch and yel ow rust disease levels from Gilchesters on 10 June, 27 June and 13 July in the 2021-22

season. ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21

Table 9. Grain protein (%) from the four FPT sites presented @15% moisture content in the 2021-22 season. .................... 22

Table 10. Grain Hagberg Fal ing Number (s) from the four FPT sites in the 2021-22 season. ................................................... 23

Table 11. Grain specific weight (kg/hl) from the four FPT sites in the 2021-22 season. ............................................................. 24

Table 12. Results of the winter wheat trial in Wallern in Burgenland, 2022............................................................................................. 26

Table 13. Results of the winter wheat trial in Aspersdorf, 2022. ............................................................................................................. 27

Table 14. Results of the winter wheat trial in Starnwörth, 2022. ............................................................................................................ 28

Table 15. Results of the winter wheat trial in Gaspoltshofen, 2022. ....................................................................................................... 29

Table 16. List of organic farms with participatory field trials in Slovakia. .................................................................................... 30

Table 17. The list of varieties with their 1000 grain weight (TGW)................................................................................................ 31

Table 18. Disease evaluation Til etia caries, Til etia controversa, Septoria tritici and agronomic characters varieties of plant

height, lodging, and grain yield levels in the 2021-22 season from farm SEMA HŠ s.r.o. in Sládkovičovo............................... 32

Table 19. Disease evaluation of Tilletia caries, Til etia controversa, Septoria tritici and agronomic characters varieties of

plant height, lodging, and grain yield levels in the 2021-22 season from farm Biomila, spol. s.r.o. ......................................... 32

Table 20. Mean grain yield at four locations in growing season 2021/2022. .............................................................................. 33

Table 21. Test weight, protein content, sedimentation value, percentage of wet gluten, and percentage of starch in grains

in organic trials in growing season 2021/2022. .............................................................................................................................. 34

Table 22. Values of indicators of quality characteristics of selected varieties in organic trials at farm SEMA HŠ s.r.o.

Sládkovičovo in growing season 2021/2022. .................................................................................................................................. 34

Table 23. Values of indicators of quality characteristics of selected varieties in organic trials at farm Biomila, spol. s.r.o.

SHR Vladimír Zeman and SHR Martin Kolárik in growing season 2021/2022. ............................................................................ 35

Table 24. List of varieties on WP6 wheat Farms (2022). ................................................................................................................ 38

Table 25. Farms, locations, sowing and harvest dates in Serbia. ................................................................................................. 38

Table 26. Examined traits of WP6 wheat varieties. ........................................................................................................................ 40

Table 27. Measurement of the ground cover ability (Gcov), the growth habit (Ghabit), the phenological stage (BBCH) and

the grain yield in 1 m2 in Viterbo. ..................................................................................................................................................... 42

Table 28. Measurement of the ground cover ability (Gcov), the growth habit (Ghabit), the phenological stage (BBCH), the

grain yield in 1 m2, the grain protein content (Prot) and the wet gluten in Rieti. ........................................................................ 43

Table 29. Measurement of the ground cover ability (Gcov), the growth habit (Ghabit), the phenological stage (BBCH), the

grain yield in 1 m2, the grain protein content (Prot) and the wet gluten in Montalto di Castro. ................................................ 43

Table 30. Agronomic results of Mv cultivars tested in 4 farms using medium sized plots (Hungary, 2022). ........................... 47

Table 31. Rapid (NIR) grain quality measurement data of winter wheat cultivars tested on replicated smal plots at the

organic field near Szár (Hungary, 2022). ......................................................................................................................................... 49

Table 32. Assessment data and grain yield of PPB sub-populations developed by the participating farmers and grown in

organic fields of ATK (on-station) and Szár (on-farm) (Hungary, 2022). ....................................................................................... 51

Table 33. Rapid (NIR) grain quality measurement data of PPB sub-populations developed by organic farmers and

examined on-station (Martonvásár, ATK) and on-farm (Szár, farmer) using small (6 m2) non-replicated plots in organic

fields (Hungary, 2022). ...................................................................................................................................................................... 52

Table 34. Mean daily air temperature and cumulative monthly precipitation during the 2021/2022 growing season at

Jablje, from sowing to harvest. ......................................................................................................................................................... 55

Table 35. Estimates of ground cover and lodging tolerance for selected cultivars in organic trials at Jablje during the

2021/2022 growing season, using a 1-9 scale. ............................................................................................................................... 56



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Table 36. Data on selected quality traits of wheat cultivars grown organically at Jablje during the 2021/2022 growing

season. The traits analysed include test weight, protein content, sedimentation value, percentage of wet gluten, and

percentage of starch. ........................................................................................................................................................................ 59

Table 37. Tested soybean varieties in 2022. ................................................................................................................................... 61

Table 38. Yield in dt/ha for 2023. The two varieties with highest yields are marked in green, and the two with lowest in red.

............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 65

Table 39. Protein % - 2023. The two varieties with highest yields are marked in green, and the two with lowest in red. ..... 66

Table 40. Yield in dt/ha - 2022. The two varieties with highest yields are marked in green, and the two with lowest in red.

............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 67

Table 41. Protein % - 2023. The two varieties with highest yields are marked in green, and the two with lowest in red. ..... 68

Table 42. Locations of soybean trials and main characteristics of the organic farms. .............................................................. 69

Table 43. List of soybean varieties and their maturing ratings selected for farmer participatory trials in Slovenia............... 70

Table 44. Mean daily air temperature and cumulative monthly precipitation from sowing to harvest of soybeans during

the 2022 growing season, recorded at the Novo Mesto weather station. .................................................................................. 71

Table 45. Grain yields of the soybean cultivars at the locations Grosuplje and Videm Dobrepolje. ........................................ 72

Table 46. Content of protein and oil in the seed of soybean cultivars at the locations Grosuplje and Videm Dobrepolje. ... 73

Table 47. Geographical settlement and soil types of the soybean FPTs in 2022. ....................................................................... 74

Table 48. The name and MG of soybean varieties cultivated in 4 Romanian FPTs..................................................................... 76

Table 49. Monitoring of Agriotes sp. at NARDI Fundulea FPT 2022.............................................................................................. 79

Table 50. The spectrum of weeds on the row in 4 soy Romanian FPTs in 2022. ........................................................................ 80

Table 51. Number of sobeany seeds sown and of harvested plants in Romanian FPTs............................................................ 81

Table 52: Number of node sites per plant at harvesting for soybean varieties in 3 Romanian FPTs. ...................................... 81

Table 53. Grain yield (t/ha) and TGW (g) from 4 FPT sites presented at 11% moisture content. .............................................. 82

Table 54: Varieties of potatoes and properties. ............................................................................................................................. 85

Table 55: Comparison of variety yields (t/ha) for each location. .................................................................................................. 87

Table 56: Cooking type for each variety samples at 4 locations. .................................................................................................. 91

Table 57: Discoloration of cooked tubers 10 min and 24h after cooking for 11 cultivars in four farms (PL 2022). ................ 96

Table 58: Discoloration of potato flesh in raw state 4h after cutting for 11 cultivars in four farms (PL 2022). ....................... 97

Table 59: Cooking types for 11 cultivars in four farms (PL 2022). ................................................................................................ 97

Table 60: Total yield (kg/bush) for 15 breeding lines at three farms (Poland 2022). ................................................................ 100

Table 61: List of varieties. ............................................................................................................................................................... 102

Table 62: Comparison of yields for each location (t/ha). ............................................................................................................. 103

Table 63: Cooking type of tested varieties at each location. ....................................................................................................... 108

Table 64: Combine grain yield and moisture content of Buckwheat FPT at Gilchesters Farm in 2022. ................................. 111

Table 65: Yield components (m2) of Buckwheat FPT at Gilchesters in 2022. ............................................................................. 111

Table 66: Grain yield and yield components (m2) of Buckwheat FPT at Nafferton Farm in 2022............................................ 112

Table 67: Grain yield and yield components (data presented per m2) of Buckwheat FPT at Thornton Farm in 2022. ......... 113

Table 68: Grain yield and yield components (data presented per m2) of Buckwheat FPT at Broadward Hall in 2022. ........ 113

Table 69: Grain yields of the buckwheat varieties at the locations Grosuplje, Šentjernej and Ponikva. ................................ 119

Table 70: Days to maturity/vegetation period of different buckwheat varieties at different localities in CZ......................... 121

Table 71: Off combine yield in dt/ha. Please note, this is the yield directly from combine harvester, at different humidity

and maturity levels. Varieties with * were not combined, but TGW was evaluated from the cyme. ** TGW of Nojai seed

was 27.4 g. ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 122





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List of figures

Fig. 1. Wheat FPT at Thornton Farm on 5 July 2022 showing clear signs of crop stress and senescence. ............................... 12

Fig. 2. FPT at Newlands on 5 July 2022 showing clear early senescence. .................................................................................... 13

Fig. 3. FPT trial at Gilchesters with a high level of docks................................................................................................................ 14

Fig. 4. Location map of the four farms in Slovakia. ........................................................................................................................ 30

Fig. 5. Mean grain yield at four locations in growing season 2021/2022. .................................................................................... 33

Fig. 6. Participatory field trails and Field Day in Slovakia............................................................................................................... 37

Fig. 7. Hand harvesting of wheat FPT (Šuljam 08.07.2022). ........................................................................................................... 39

Figure 8. ECOBREED WP6 evaluation event with the farmers at the field trial located in Montalto di Castro......................... 42

Fig. 9. Mean score from the evaluation of the farmer in Viterbo (A) and Montalto di Castro (B). The score was calculated

making the mean of al traits for each variety. ............................................................................................................................... 44

Fig. 10. Locations of participatory plant breeding trials organized by ATK. Participating organic farms are in red (2021,

2022) and blue (2022), breeding station (ATK) in green. ............................................................................................................... 45

Fig. 11. Grain yield (t/ha) of 15 Mv cultivars grown on organic replicated smal plots (Szár, 2022). ......................................... 48

Fig. 12. Farmer with his own selected spikes as a step for participatory plant breeding (Szár, 2021). .................................... 50

Fig. 13. Organic Field Day at Szár, 21 June 2022. ............................................................................................................................ 53

Fig. 14. Plant height of the individual cultivars (columns) and trial mean (dotted line) in organic trials at Jablje in growing

season 2021/2022. Green-shaded cultivars exceed the mean height of their respective trials. .............................................. 56

Fig. 15. Scoring of disease and pest prevalence for selected cultivars in organic trials at Jablje in growing season

2021/2022. ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 57

Fig. 16. Grain yields of individual cultivars (shown in columns) and the trial mean (dotted line) in organic trials conducted

at Jablje during the 2020/2021 growing season. Cultivars that yielded higher than the mean of their respective trial are

highlighted in green. ......................................................................................................................................................................... 58

Fig. 17. Šuljam trial and demonstration event. ............................................................................................................................... 60

Fig. 18. Trial locations in Serbia in 2022. ......................................................................................................................................... 61

Fig. 19. Average yield for al locations in Serbia. ............................................................................................................................ 62

Fig. 20. Mean heights of soybean plants for each variety recorded at both trial locations. ...................................................... 71

Fig. 21. Map of Romanian ECOBREEED Soybean Demo Farms. ................................................................................................... 74

Fig. 22. Average monthly air temperatures recorded at NARDI Fundulea, in the period September 2021 – August 2022

compared to Long Term Average (LTA). .......................................................................................................................................... 75

Fig. 23. The amount of monthly precipitation from September 2021 – August 2022 and the multi-year. .............................. 76

Fig. 24. Sowing soybean at FTPs ”NARDI Fundulea” and ”ECOFRUCT Ştefan cel Mare. .............................................................. 77

Fig. 25. Mechanical weeding of soybean at FPT ”NARDI Fundulea”/26 May 2022. ..................................................................... 78

Fig. 26. Pheromone traps for Agrotes sp. at soybean FPT ”NARDI Fundulea 2022..................................................................... 78

Fig. 27. Soybean at FPT ”NARDI Fundulea” – STK 02/ 4 July 2022.................................................................................................. 80

Fig. 28: Locations of potato trials and main characteristics. ......................................................................................................... 84

Fig. 29: Plant Height (cm) for potato varieties at 3 locations in Slovenia. .................................................................................... 86

Fig. 30: Number of tubers per plant for each variety in 4 locations. ............................................................................................ 87

Fig. 31: Average tuber size (g) for each variety in 4 locations. ...................................................................................................... 88

Fig. 32: Dry matter (%) for each variety in 4 locations. .................................................................................................................. 89

Fig. 33: Tuber taste for each variety in 4 locations (1 excel ent, 2 very good, 3 good, 4 acceptable, 5 worse, 6 unsuitable). 89

Fig. 34: General impression for each variety in 4 locations (1 excel ent, 10 unsuitable). ........................................................... 90

Figure 35: Location map of the four farms in Poland. ................................................................................................................... 91

Fig 36: Experimental field in Grabów (PL 2022). ............................................................................................................................. 92

Fig. 37: Harvested in Grabów (PL 2002)........................................................................................................................................... 92

Fig. 38: Experimental field in Jadwisin (PL 2022). ........................................................................................................................... 92

Fig. 39: Total yield (kg/bush) for 11 cultivars in four farms (PL 2022). ......................................................................................... 93

Fig. 40: Mean values for total yield (kg/bush) in four farms (PL 2022). ........................................................................................ 93

Fig. 41: Description of organic experiment in Połomia (PL 2022). ............................................................................................... 94

Fig. 42: Description of organic experiment in Tuligłowy (PL 2022). .............................................................................................. 94

Fig. 43: Tuber size in three categories for 11 cultivars harvested in four farms (PL 2022). ..... 95

Fig. 44. Eyes and regularity of tuber shape for 11 cultivars in four farms (PL 2022). On the figure is present mean values

for each cultivar from four farms and values of minimum and maximum. ................................................................................ 95

Fig. 45: Discoloration of cooked tubers 10 minutes (left) and 24 hours (right) after cooking (PL 2022)................................... 96

Fig. 46: Taste for 11 cultivars in four farms (PL 2022). ................................................................................................................... 98

Fig. 47: Taste for 11 cultivars in 4 farms (PL 2022). ....................................................................................................................... 98

Fig. 48: Discoloration of potato flesh in raw state after 4 h after cutting in Połomia and Tuligłowy (PL 2022). ...................... 98

Fig. 49: Starch content (%) for 11 cultivars (PL 2022). .................................................................................................................... 99



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Fig. 50: Starch content (%) for 11 cultivars evaluated in 4 farms (PL 2022). ................................................................................ 99

Fig. 51: Tuber size in three categories for 15 breeding lines harvested in three farms (PL 2022). ......................................... 101

Fig. 52: Locations of potato trials. .................................................................................................................................................. 101

Fig. 53: Plant Height (cm) for each potato varieties at 3 locations. ............................................................................................ 104

Fig. 54: Fusarium dry rot for potato varieties at 3 locations. ...................................................................................................... 105

Fig. 55: Dry matter content of varieties at 3 locations. ................................................................................................................ 105

Fig. 56: Fresh discoloration of tuber flesh at 4h after cutting. .................................................................................................... 106

Fig. 57: Taste of cooked tubers at 3 locations (1 very good, 2 good, 3 acceptable, 4 worse)................................................... 106

Fig. 58: Percentage of tubers below 45mm in diameter. ............................................................................................................ 107

Fig. 59: Percentage of tubers between 45-65 mm in diameter................................................................................................... 107

Fig. 60: Silver scurf infection of tubers (1-low, 9-high). ................................................................................................................ 108

Fig. 61: Buckwheat FPT at Gilchesters on 29 June 2022............................................................................................................... 110

Fig. 62: Buckwheat FPT at Nafferton Farm on 23 May (left) and 9 July (right) 2022. ................................................................. 110

Fig. 63: Buckwheat FPT at Thornton Farm on 13 May (left) and 4 July (right) 2022. ................................................................. 111

Fig. 64: Locations of buckwheat trials and main characteristics of the locations. .................................................................... 115

Fig. 65: Plant length of buckwheat varieties grown at 3 locations.............................................................................................. 117

Fig. 66: Plant height of buckwheat varieties grown at 3 locations.............................................................................................. 118

Fig. 67: Farm locations within Czech Republic in 2022. ............................................................................................................... 120

Fig. 68: Significant lodging of variety Darja. (Photo: Petra Hlásná Čepková). ............................................................................ 122





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1. Introduction

The project ECOBREED ( Increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of organic crop breeding) is funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 funding scheme and brings together 24 partners from 14 different countries. ECOBREED aims to increase the availability of seeds and varieties for the organic and low-input sector, to identify traits and combinations of traits suited to organic and low-input production environment including high nutrient use efficiency and weed competitiveness and to increase breeding activities for organic and low-input crop production.

Within ECOBREED Work package 6, the project aims to establish an efficient system for farmer-participatory-selection of new varieties in selected countries, representing different pedoclimatic zones and/or regions that can later be adopted throughout Europe and beyond. This will be achieved via:

• Identification of region-specific traits/trait combinations desired by organic farmers.

• Development and use of a data-recording system for Farmer Participatory Trials.

• Undertaking farmer-participatory breeding in contrasting pedo-climatic zones.

• Allowing farmers/breeders to select lines from evaluation of CCP that are particularly suited to their own environment.

The above-mentioned Farmer Participatory Field Trials, which are performed under Task 6.2, aim to establish on-farm variety evaluation trials in Northern, Central, and Southern European organic production systems/rotation backgrounds. In each country, which is included as partner in the project, 4-6 farmers are included, and each participating farmer established a non-replicated trial to compare the performance of 8-12 genotypes of each species (identified from phenotyping in work packages 2-5, focusing on wheat, potatoes, soybean, and buckwheat). For each country, a standard agronomic and field assessment protocol wil be developed and used, but each farmer will be able to include additional parameters/protocols in the trials performed on his/her farm.

The responsible partner for this work package is Naturland Association for Organic Agriculture (NATUR) from Germany with task leader Werner Vogt-Kaute. The partners involved in this task are the University of Newcastle (UNEW) and LC Smales & Son Limited (SMA) from the UK, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia (KIS), Slovenia, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) from Austria, Poslovni system Global Seed (GS) and Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops (IFVCNS) from Serbia, Crop Research Institute (CRI) and PROBIO sro from the Czech Republic, University of Tuscia (UNITUS) from Italy, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Centre for Agricultural Research (ATK) and the Hungarian 9





University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) from Hungary, National Research Institute – Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute (IHAR) from Poland, National Agricultural and Food Center (NPPC) and BIOMILA spol. sro from Slovakia, and National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI) from Romania.

Here is the second bul etin on the results of farmer participatory field trials within ECOBREED devoted to trials performed in 2023.





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2. Wheat

2.1. Wheat farmer participatory trials in the UK

All four wheat FPT trials were dril ed in the autumn of 2021 at the same locations as in the previous year. Newlands on 25 September at a seed rate of 230 kg/ha, Nisbet Hil Farm (230 kg/ha) on 7 October 2020, Thornton Farm (230 kg/ha) on 8 October and at Gilchesters on 24 October. At Newlands the field used was the same as in the previous season i.e. a second wheat with the following cultivation system: straw from previous crop baled and removed, ploughed in very dry conditions, two passes with a Horsch Carrier prior to drilling with a Vaderstadt Rapide and finally rolled. A plot of spelt (variety Zol enspeltz) was included in the trial for comparison.

At Newlands there were 10 wheat varieties used with both KWS Extase and Allessio having the DK20 biostimulant seed dressing, which with the additional plot of spelt resulted in 13 plots. At Nisbet Hil nine varieties were grown but the varieties Royal and Alessio also had DK20 seed dressing applied which resulted in 11 plots. At Thornton Farm there were 11 varieties with both KWS Extase and Theodore having the DK20 and Sikulo seed treatments. At Thornton Farm, Nisbet Hill and Gilchesters the foliar biostimulant Fixio (from ITAKA) was also used on part of the trial (at a rate of 1.5 kg/ha) being applied on 15

May at Thornton Farm, 10 May at Nisbet Hill Farm and 12 May at Gilchesters. Fixio was applied rather late (due to late arrival of the product from Italy) and probably one month beyond the optimum timing at GS30 as recommended by the manufacturer ITAKA.

The first disease assessment at Gilchesters Organics was carried out on 17th June for leaf blotch and yellow rust while at the other 3 sites, Nisbet Hill Farm, Thornton Farm and Newlands the first disease assessment was carried out on 20 June 2022. Further disease assessments were then carried out at Nisbet Hil , Thornton Farm and Newlands on 5 and 18 July 2022. Disease data for each site are presented in Tables 5-8. For disease assessments 10 replicate readings were taken from each plot/treatment. Septoria tritici was recorded as % leaf coverage on each of leaves 1-3 while for yel ow rust the data is based on a whole plant assessment scale 1-9 (where 1 is no disease present).

At both Newlands and Thornton Farm there were clear signs of early senescence recorded on 5 July (Fig. 1and 2). This was likely due to the warm/dry conditions in the UK, but also soil type and the likely impact of the crop being a second wheat at Nisbet Hil with likely effects of Fusarium and Take-all fungal diseases on crop growth. The early senescence meant that at the visit on 18 July there was little green tissue left at both Newlands and Thornton Farm with the exception of the varieties KWS Extase, Theodore and Wendelin



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which maintained green leaf area for longer at both sites. The commercial crops surrounding the FPT trials at Thornton Farm and Newlands were harvested at least 2

weeks earlier than in the previous season (at Thornton Farm it was harvested on 12

August with a grain moisture content of 13.6-13.9%) reflecting the warm and dry conditions during the summer months. FPT trial plots were harvested at a similar time to the previous season due to a machine breakdown and difficulty/delay in getting the parts.



Fig. 1. Wheat FPT at Thornton Farm on 5 July 2022 showing clear signs of crop stress and senescence.



Lodging assessment and plant height were recorded just prior to harvest. All trials were combined with a Deutsch plot combine (Newland - 29 August, Thornton Farm - 30 August, Nisbet Hil - 31 August, Gilchesters - 2 September) and al grain yields (Table 1) are presented @15% moisture content. The FPT trial at Nisbet Hil was combined on Wednesday, 31 August 2022. Fixio had been applied to a 40 m length at the East of the trial and at harvest a combine cut of 25 m was taken. From the control treatment the combine cut varied from 28.3 to 31 m. Grain samples were retained at harvest for moisture content determination (with an average grain moisture content of 17%) and grain quality analyses.



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At Nisbet Hill Fixio had been applied to a 40 m length at the East of the trial and at harvest a combine cut of 25 m was taken. From the control treatment the combine cut varied from 28.3 to 31 m. Grain samples were retained at harvest for moisture content determination (with an average grain moisture content of 17%) and grain quality analyses.



Fig. 2. FPT at Newlands on 5 July 2022 showing clear early senescence.





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Fig. 3. FPT trial at Gilchesters with a high level of docks.





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2.1.1. Grain yield

Table 1. Grain yield t/ha from all 4 FPT sites presented @15% moisture content.



Thornton Farm

Newlands

Nisbet Hill

Gilchesters

Purino

5.56

4.44

4.88

3.27

Wendelin

2.96

5.15

5.66

4.53

Alessio (2)

3.16

4.47

4.65

2.34

Roderik

4.22

3.53

5.26

1.09

KWS Extase

5.99

5.70

-

0.95

KWS Extase + Sikulo

6.19

-

-

-

KWs Extase + DK20

6.32

6.22

-

-

Alessio

3.99

5.00

5.63

3.64

Alessio + DK20

-

4.38

5.81

3.90

Wakelyns popln

5.24

5.58

5.44

4.15

Barranco

4.86

4.81

6.51

2.94

Royal

3.77

4.57

4.76

3.83

Royal + DK20

-

-

6.43

1.78

Theodore

4.34

-

-

-

Theodore + Sikulo

4.05

-

-

-

Theodore + DK20

4.34

-

-

-

Viki

2.59

4.25

6.30

4.55

Laurin

-

-

-

0.21

Black Russian

-

-

-

3.65

Brandex Popln

-

-

-

2.28

Barber II

-

-

-

5.35

The drilled Liocharls population was the variety Alessio with the mistake in the original seed consignment sent to the UK following multiplication. This mistake was clear as the seed drilled was a 100% homogeneous and fully awned variety whereas Liocharls is a mixture of awned and non-awned with greater heterogeneity than Wakelyn’s. Grain yields from Thornton Farm, Newlands and Nisbet Hil were similar but higher than at Gilchesters (Table1). The highest yielding variety at Thornton Farm and Newlands was the conventional (Group 2 variety on UK Recommended List) breadmaking variety KWS

Extase. At Nisbet Hil Farm Barranco that was the highest yielding variety with 6.51 t/ha but this variety produced just over 4.8 t/ha at both Thornton Farm and Newlands. The Group 4 hard wheat variety Theodore was only grown at Thornton Farm but showed a

very disappointing performance with just over 4 t/ha. There was high variability in the yield data from Gilchesters and this was likely due to the high level of dock weeds present (Fig. 3) having a clear impact on the grain yield of some varieties. Although most of the docks were cut prior to the open day on 25 July the level of infestation was high and as a result likely to have had a clear impact on the grain yields at that site. At Gilchesters Barber 15





II was the highest yielding variety (with a very respectable 5.35 t/ha) but Roderik and KWS

Extase were both below 1 t/ha. Wakelyn’s population showed a good consistent performance across al 4 sites and was the second highest yielding variety at Newlands (5.58 t/ha). Alessio (2) produced an average yield of 4.47 and 4.65 t/ha at Newlands and Nisbet Hil respectively but was much lower at both Thornton Farm and Gilchesters. At Thornton Farm the seed treatment Sikulo from ITAKA increased the grain yield of KWS

Extase by 0.2 t/ha but on the variety Theodore grain yield from the Sikulo treatment was 0.29 t/ha lower than the untreated. There was high variability in the performance of DK20

across the 4 sites in 2021-22. The seed treatment DK20 at Thornton Farm resulted in a 0.33 t/ha increase in grain yield on KWS Extase compared to the control but with no effect at al on the variety Theodore. At Newlands DK20 resulted in a 0.52 t/ha grain yield increase in the variety KWS Extase compared with the control but in the variety Alessio the reverse was true with the untreated control having a 0.62 t/ha higher grain yield than the DK20 treatment. The largest effect of DK20 was observed at Nisbet Hil Farm whereby the seed treatment resulted in a 0.18 t/ha higher grain yield on the variety Alessio but a 1.67 t/ha increase in the variety Royal when compared with the control. At Gilchesters DK20 increased the grain yield of Alessio by 0.26 t/ha but in the variety Royal the control treatment had a 2.05 t/ha higher grain yield than DK20.

Table 2. Grain yields (t/ha @15% moisture content) from Thornton Farm* in response to Fixio application in the 2021-22 season.



Control

Fixio

Theodore + Sikulo

4.05

4.35

Theodore

4.34

5.07

Theodore + DK20

4.34

4.42

KWS Extase + Sikulo

6.19

5.80

KWS Extase

6.88

6.99

KWS Extase + DK20

6.32

5.93

Alessio

3.99

4.84

Roderik

4.22

4.32

Alessio (2)

3.16

3.66

Viki

2.59

3.85

Wakelyns Popln

5.24

5.18

Royal

3.77

4.98

Wendelin

2.96

3.98

Barranco

4.86

4.57

KWS Extase

4.38

6.82

Purino

5.56

5.18

*Combine yields at Thornton Farm were based on 10 m cut length (21 m2 area) for the control and 9.2 m cut length (19.32

m2 area) for the Fixio treatment





16





Table 3. Grain yields (t/ha) @15% moisture content from Gilchesters* in response to Fixio application in the 2021-22 season.



Control

Fixio

Roderik

1.09

2.02

KWS Extase

0.95

3.59

Barranco

2.94

1.01

Viki

4.55

2.25

Alessio (2)

2.34

5.49

Wakelyns Popln

4.15

2.92

Brandex Popln

2.28

4.79

Royal

3.83

0.90

Laurin

0.21

0.76

Purino

3.27

1.95

Alessio

3.64

5.33

Barber II

5.35

3.62

Red Russian

3.65

-

Wendelin

4.53

3.07

Royal + DK20

1.78

3.38

Alessio + DK20

3.90

1.77

*Grain yields at Gilchesters were based on 30 m cut length (59 m2 area) for the control and 30 m cut length (60m2 area) for the Fixio treatment



Table 4. Grain yields (t/ha) @15% moisture content from Nisbet Hill in response to Fixio application in the 2021-22 season.



Control

Fixio

Royal + DK20

6.43

5.23

Viki

6.30

5.65

Alessio + DK20

5.81

5.99

Alessio

5.63

5.44

Alessio (2)

4.65

4.98

Purino

4.88

5.54

Wakelyns popln

5.44

5.16

Wendelin

5.66

5.94

Royal

4.76

6.26

Roderik

5.26

5.84

Barranco

6.51

6.89

*Grain yields at Nisbett Hil were based on 30 m cut length (60 m2 area) for the control and 25 m cut length (50m2 area) for the Fixio treatment





17





The biostimulant Fixio from ITAKA was again used in the spring at Thornton Farm, Nisbet Hill and Gilchesters. At Thornton Farm (Table 2) when averaged across all varieties Fixio resulted in a 0.41 t/ha yield increased compared with the control treatment. At Gilchesters the Fixio treatment resulted in a 0.17 t/ha yield reduction (Table 3) compared to the untreated control when averaged across all varieties. At Nisbet Hill Farm (Table 4) Fixio resulted in a 0.15 t/ha yield increase when averaged across all varieties compared to the control.

2.1.2. Disease results

Table 5. Septoria leaf blotch and yel ow rust disease levels from Nisbet Hil Farm on 20 June, 5 and 18

July in the 2021-22 season.



20 June (GS62-63)

5 July (70)

18 July (GS75)



S tritici*

Yellow

S tritici

Yellow

S tritici

Yellow

rust**

rust

rust

Royal +DK20

0, 0, 10

1.2

4, 24, 66

4.1

-

7.4

Viki

0, 5, 18

1.1

5, 23, 49

1.4

19, 56, 98

4.9

Alessio DK20

0, 9, 38

1

12, 61, 97

3.7

-

8.0

Alessio

2, 11, 44

1

11, 51, 96

2.6

-

8.0

Alessio (2)

1, 15, 53

1

23, 72, 100

1.6

-

8.0

Purino

0, 18, 27

1

4, 43, 83

1

28, 86, 100

4.8

Wakelyns

0, 4, 38

1

5, 40, 82

1

56, 88, 98

6.0

Popln

Wendelin

0, 1, 19

1

1, 25, 79

1

38, 79, 100

6.5

Royal

0, 3, 44

1

10, 34, 77

1.3

-

8.0

Roderik

0, 5, 31

1

12, 30, 70

1.6

-

8.0

Barranco

0, 4, 17

1.2

14, 45, 91

2.0

31, 72, 100

7.9

* Septoria tritici % disease recorded on L1, L2 and L3 respectively

**Yel ow rust 1-9 scale where 1 = no disease present

On 20 June 2022 at Nisbet Hil Farm yellow rust levels were low with only limited signs of infection in the varieties Royal, Viki and Barranco (Table 5). By 5 July there had been a clear increase with the varieties Viki and Alessio being worst affected but still no disease observed in the varieties KWS Extase, Purino, Wakelyn’s population and Wendelin. By the 18th of July all varieties had yel ow rust but with the varieties KWS Extase, Viki and Purino showing only moderate infection levels. For Septoria tritici the variety KWS Extase showed the lowest disease levels at al timings. Due to the very warm summer, crop development was in advance of the previous season by about 10-14 days and so that by 18 July some varieties were starting to turn which meant that S. tritici disease levels were not recorded 18





on the more advanced early maturing varieties but at this time KWS Extase still had low levels of disease on leaves 1 and 2.

Table 6. Septoria leaf blotch and yel ow rust disease levels from Newlands Farm on 20 June and 5 July in the 2021-22 season.



20 June (GS62-63)

5 July (70)



S tritici*

Yellow rust**

S tritici

Yellow rust

Alessio

1, 8, 38

1.2

10, 31, 89

3.0

Royal

0, 5, 51

1

9, 26, 89

1

KWS Extase

0, 2, 18

1

2, 22, 79

1

KWS Extase + DK20

0, 1, 14

1

0, 16, 84

1

Purino

3, 14, 29

1

7, 27, 89

1

Alessio (2)

9, 17, 50

1

12, 29, 83

1

Viki

0, 12, 27

1.6

9, 60, 95

1.2

Roderik

0, 11, 32

1.5

10, 24, 62

2.6

Wendelin

0, 2, 9

1

1, 14, 70

1

Barranco

0, 0, 22

1

4, 25, 56

2.6

Wakelyns Popln

0, 4, 34

1

7, 25, 92

1

Alessio + DK20

4, 12, 33

2.5

7, 25, 70

2.1

Zollernspelt

-

8

-

8

* Septoria tritici % disease recorded on L1, L2 and L3 respectively

**Yel ow rust 1-9 scale where 1 = no disease present

At Newlands there was yellow rust infection on 20 June in the varieties Alessio, Viki and Roderik with Barranco also showing symptoms on 5 July (Table 6). On 20 June, S. tritici levels were low in the varieties KWS Extase and Wendelin. On 5 July KWS Extase and Wendelin again had the lowest S. tritici levels but for most other varieties leaf 3 had been almost completely lost to the disease while Viki also had 60% of leaf 2 infected. As at Thornton Farm the warm dry conditions meant that disease assessment was not possible on 18 July due to extensive crop senescence but with some lodging evident at the front end of the variety Royal.

At the disease assessment dates of 20 June and 5 July at Thornton Farm (Table 7) only very low yel ow rust disease levels were recorded and on a limited number of varieties with highest recorded levels on Viki, Royal and Barranco. For Septoria tritici the conventional UK varieties KWS Extase and Theodore had the lowest levels recorded. Due to the very warm summer, crop development was in advance of the previous season by about 10-14

days and so that by 18 July most varieties were starting to turn as this was clearly noticeable at the Open Day held on Monday 4 July.





19





Table 7. Septoria leaf blotch and yel ow rust disease levels recorded from Thornton Farm on 20 June and 5 July in the 2021-22 season.



20 June (GS62-63)

5 July (70)



S tritici*

Yellow

S tritici

Yellow rust

rust**

Theodore + Sikulo

0, 0, 1

1

0, 0, 23

1

Theodore

0 ,0, 3

1

0, 0, 19

1

Theodore + DK20

0, 0, 4.5

1

0, 1, 46

1

KWS Extase + Sikulo

0, 0, 1.5

1

0, 7, 28

1

KWS Extase

0 ,0, 0

1

0, 2, 14

1

KWS Extase + DK20

0, 0,1.5

1

0, 5, 34

1

Alessio

0, 6, 38

1

0, 12, 58

1

Roderik

0, 17, 23

1

0, 13, 44

1.1

Alessio (2)

3, 12, 36

1

0, 6, 20

1

Viki

0, 8, 21

1.2

5, 11, 47

1.6

Wakelyns Popln

0, 4. 14

1.2

2, 7, 57

1.2

Royal

0, 0, 14

1.6

0, 12, 42

1.6

Wendelin

0, 12, 24

1

0, 8, 37

1

Barranco

0, 1, 21

1.1

1, 17, 61

1.5

KWS Extase

0, 0, 3

1

0, 4, 38

1.2

Purino

0, 11, 20

1.2

3, 23, 57

1

* Septoria tritici % disease recorded on L1, L2 and L3 respectively

**Yel ow rust 1-9 scale where 1 = no disease present

The crop starting to turn very early in the season was likely due to the very warm and dry conditions possibly linked to lighter sandier soil (as evidenced by the patchiness across the field) and was also observed at Newlands Farm both in the FPT trial and the commercial crop surrounding the trial. By the time of the third disease assessment only the varieties, Viki, Wendelin and Theodore had any green canopy and this was rather limited. The commercial crop in this field surrounding the FPT was harvested on Friday 12

August with an average grain yield of 5.5 t/ha and a moisture content of 13.6-13.9%.

At Gilchesters yellow rust levels were much higher (Table 8) than at the other 3 sites for the first two sampling dates, i.e.10 and 27 June, but disease levels had then decreased by the final sampling date on 13 July which was the reverse of the situation at Nisbet Hill Farm (Table 5). Earlier in the season on 10 and 27 June the varieties Wendelin, KWS Extase and Brandex population showed the lowest leaf blotch ( S. tritici) and this continued through to 13 July with the variety Wendelin showing very low leaf blotch levels on leaves 1 and 2.





20





Table 8. Septoria leaf blotch and yel ow rust disease levels from Gilchesters on 10 June, 27 June and 13

July in the 2021-22 season.



10 June (GS51-57)

27 June (GS63-69)

13 July (GS77)



S tritici*

Yellow

S tritici

Yellow

S tritici

Yellow

rust**

rust

rust

Roderik

0.1, 0.9, 2.5

3

17.5, 17, 46

1.5

17, 55, 100

1.2

KWS Extase

0, 0, 0.1

1.6

3.1, 5.6, 21

2.3

19, 48, 85

1.9

Barranco

0, 0.1, 1.9

4

9.5, 35, 75

1.9

6, 98, 100

1.3

Viki

0, 0, 0.2

4

9.6, 24, 61

1.5

37, 72, 100

1

Alessio (2)

0, 0.2, 1.4

1.7

0.4, 5.0, 19

1

11, 69, 100

1

Wakelyns Popln

0, 0.7, 1.5

2.8

1.8, 6.6, 32

1.4

6, 17.5, 85

1

Brandex Popln

0, 0.1, 0.1

2

0, 1.1, 9.1

1

17, 25, 100

1

Royal

0, 0.1, 2.5

2.2

4.7, 12.1, 59

2.7

58, 84, 93

2.5

Laurin

0.1, 0.3, 2

3

6.6, 32, 78

4.8

26, 78, 100

1.1

Purino

0, 0.1, 0.7

4.6

7, 11.5, 79

2.6

50, 95, 100

2.8

Alessio

0.1, 0.1, 0.6

1.6

1.2, 6.2, 47

1

19, 59, 100

1

Barber II

0.1, 2.9, 6.1

4.3

6.6, 12, 53

1.8

19, 57, 98

1

Red Russian

0, 1.4, 1.7

1.8

0.1, 3.6, 31

1

2.5, 9.5, 100

1

Wendelin

0, 0, 0.71

1.2

0.6, 1.7, 9.1

1

1, 3, 72

1

Royal + DK20

0, 0.7, 1.3

1.9

4.8, 26, 71

1.9

44, 86, 100

2.3

Alessio + DK20

0, 0.1, 0.9

2.0

1.2, 4.5, 38

1.4

4.5, 50, 100

1

* Septoria tritici % disease recorded on L1, L2 and L3 respectively

**Yel ow rust 1-9 scale where 1 = no disease present





21





2.1.3. Grain quality

Table 9. Grain protein (%) from the four FPT sites presented @15% moisture content in the 2021-22

season.



Thornton Farm

Newlands

Nisbet Hill

Gilchesters

Purino

11.2

10.6

14.2

12.5

Wendelin

11.0

11.7

13.6

13.1

Alessio (2)

11.2

10.6

12.9

12.2

Roderik

11.4

11.6

12.7

13.6

KWS Extase

9.6

9.2

-

13.0

KWS Extase + Sikulo

9.4

-

-

-

KWS Extase + DK20

9.0

9.5

-

-

Alessio

11.0

10.5

13.7

13.1

Alessio + DK20

-

11.4

13.5

14.1

Wakelyns popln

10.6

10.4

12.4

13.7

Barranco

9.9

10.4

13.0

12.3

Royal

10.8

10.5

12.3

14.7

Royal + DK20

-

-

13.3

14.3

Theodore

9.1

-

-

-

Theodore + Sikulo

9.4

-

-

-

Theodore + DK20

9.0

-

-

-

Viki

11.1

11.0

14.7

15.2

Laurin

-

-

-

15.1

Red Russian

-

-

-

13.9

Brandex popln

-

-

-

12.1

Barber II

-

-

-

13.6

Grain protein content was much higher at Gilchesters and Nisbet Hil than at the other two sites. At Gilchesters only Barranco and Brandex population had a protein content

<13% while at Nisbet Hil it was only the varieties Roderik, Wakelyn’s population and Royal.

At Thornton Farm and Newlands no variety achieved a protein content of 12% or higher.

Where the UK Recommended List Group 2 variety KWS Extase was grown the protein content was lower than 10% at Thornton Farm and Newlands while at Gilchesters it achieved 13%. The high protein contents observed at Gilchesters in 2022 also confirmed the results for that site in 2021. The use of the biostimulant DK20 increased grain protein content of the variety Alessio by 0.9 t/ha at Newlands and 1.0 t/ha at Gilchesters.





22





Table 10. Grain Hagberg Falling Number (s) from the four FPT sites in the 2021-22 season.



Thornton Farm

Newlands

Nisbet Hill

Gilchesters

Purino

353

343

353

337

Wendelin

310

273

341

344

Alessio (2)

354

345

365

363

Roderik

309

305

347

365

KWS Extase

321

310

-

353

KWS Extase + Sikulo

319

-

-

-

KWS Extase + DK20

327

315

-

-

Alessio

353

312

381

362

Alessio + DK20

-

309

371

367

Wakelyns popln

239

206

319

276

Barranco

267

272

349

305

Royal

220

253

340

341

Royal + DK20

-



354

369

Theodore

166

-

-

-

Theodore + Sikulo

161

-

-

-

Theodore + DK20

147

-

-

-

Viki

317

349

399

368

Laurin

-

-

-

332

Red Russian

-

-

-

346

Brandex popln

-

-

-

276

Barber II

-

-

-

285

HFN was high in the 2021-22 season generally due to the warm and dry weather during

late grain fil ing and harvest. The highest levels were at Nisbet Hil Farm where all varieties had a HFN of >300. Wakelyn’s population had a particularly low HFN at Thornton Farm (239 s) and Newlands (206 s) but was >250 s at the other two sites. Viki had a consistently HFN which was >300 s at all 4 sites.





23





Table 11. Grain specific weight (kg/hl) from the four FPT sites in the 2021-22 season.



Thornton Farm

Newlands

Nisbet Hill

Gilchesters

Purino

76.7

72.5

77.0

74.3

Wendelin

79.1

78.2

81.0

79.6

Alessio (2)

78.2

75.1

81.4

78.9

Roderik

77.7

76.4

80.4

75.6

KWS Extase

75.3

71.6

-

72.7

KWS Extase + Sikulo

75.0

-

-

-

KWS Extase + DK20

74.7

72.1

-

-

Alessio

78.8

76.4

80.5

78.5

Alessio + DK20

-

77.8

80.6

79.1

Wakelyn’s popln

77.9

76.2

78.9

76.6

Barranco

75.6

75.4

76.6

75.4

Royal

79.7

76.4

81.6

76.7

Royal + DK20

-

-

82.0

77.2

Theodore

72.7

-

-

-

Theodore + Sikulo

72.1

-

-

-

Theodore + DK20

72.5

-

-

-

Viki

75.1

73.2

77.7

75.6

Laurin

-

-

-

75.9

Red Russian

-

-

-

75.3

Brandex Popln

-

-

-

76.2

Barber II

-

-

-

77.9

Very high grain specific weights were observed at all 4 sites which confirms UK grain quality data (AHDB Cereal Quality Survey 2022. Available at Cereal Quality Survey | AHDB)

for that season where with abundant sunshine during the grain fil ing period being the reason. Very high grain specific weight was observed at Nissbet hill where the lowest variety was Barranco with 76.6 kg/hl.





24





2.2. Wheat farmer participatory trials in Austria

In the 2021/2022 season, FPTs were established at four Austrian organic farms located in different agro-ecological zones of Austria. Seeds for the trials were provided by the breeding companies Secobra, Probstdorfer Saatzucht, Saatbau Linz, Saatzucht Edelhof, and Dottenfelder Hof. All trials experienced a low level of winter precipitation and due to the cool weather during thre end of winter and early spring crop development was decelerated. End of March/beginning of April the crop stands were still at BBCH29 (end of tillering). Ground cover was between 25% and 32% as measured by the Canopeo App. In

April and May the crop stands have developed fast due to higher than usual temperatures, resulting in heading dates at end of May which is comparable to previous seasons. From heading onwards, precipitation at the single locations was 20-30% less than the 1991-2020

long-term mean and mean temperature was +1.4 °C. Additional y more hot days were

recorded.

The first FPT trial was established on 20 October 2021 in the production area “Seewinkel”

at the farm of Petra Borchert (Hauptstr. 18, 7151 Wallern im Burgenland; test site: 47.703782, 16.994403; pre-crop: winter wheat). The ECOBREED trial is integrated into the Austrian BioNet trial at that test site and includes the following 15 varieties: Alicantus, Arminius, Arnold, Aurelius, Blickfang, Capo, Christoph, Edelmann, Ehogold, Energo, Izalco CS, Mandarin, Mv Elit CCP, Mv Pantlika, and Til sano. Crop establishment of Blickfang was significantly lower than for the other varieties. Pre-crop was wheat, sowing was done with a density of 325 seeds per m² and the trial was fertilized with 20 t/ha manure. First harrowing was done on 28 March 2022. Harvest was on 30 June at a grain moisture content of about 12%. Subsequently grain samples were analysed by a Foss InfratecTM.

The specific adaptation of Austrian wheat varieties to the growing conditions and quality requirements is demonstrated by the calculated protein yield with Aurelius (800 kg/ha) being top, fol owed by Christoph (773 kg/ha), Energo (743 kg/ha), Arnold (726 kg/ha), Ehogold (693 kg/ha), and Capo (688 kg/ha). Varieties of foreign origin realised significantly lower protein yields with Izalco CS (533 kg/ha), Blickfang (304 kg/ha), Mv Elit CCP (297

kg/ha), and Mv Pantlika (271 kg/ha) at the end. Considering the Austrian limits for organic quality wheat ( Qualitätsweizen) for protein content and test weight, i.e. 12% and 80 kg/hL, the following varieties would have been not accepted: Blickfang, Mv Elit CCP and Mv Pantlika with inferior performance in both traits, Edelmann and Izalco CS with inferior test weight but at least reaching the threshold of 78 kg/hL for acceptance with a price reduction. Contrary, many varieties reached the thresholds for organic Premiumweizen (13% protein) or even Ultimateweizen (14% protein).





25





Table 12. Results of the winter wheat trial in Wallern in Burgenland, 2022.

Genotype

Grain yield

Protein

Wet

Test weight

1000 grain

(dt/ha) at

content

gluten

(kg/hL)

weight (n)

14% H2O

(%)

content

(%)

Alicantus

40.96

14.8

34.1

80.0

45.7

Arminius

43.62

15.6

35.8

80.4

46.9

Arnold

47.42

15.3

35.3

82.0

41.7

Aurelius

55.17

14.5

32.9

80.2

44.2

Blickfang

26.91

11.3

24.1

77.0

40.9

Capo

47.42

14.5

33.1

80.6

42.4

Christoph

56.39

13.7

30.9

80.1

42.4

Edelmann

46.19

13.5

30.0

79.9

40.5

Ehogold

43.57

15.9

37.2

81.4

43.6

Energo

50.10

14.8

34.1

80.2

44.2

Izalco CS

35.80

14.9

34.1

79.4

40.1

Mandarin

43.47

14.2

32.7

80.1

44.9

Mv Elit CCP

29.44

10.1

20.6

75.4

42.9

Mv Pantlika

29.51

9.2

19.7

74.5

47.8

Tillsano

48.81

14.0

32.2

80.8

41.0

The second trial was sown with a sowing density of 380 seeds per m² on 27 October 2021

in the production area “Hollabrunn-Mistelbacher Gebiet” at the farm of Andreas Patschka (Zeile 85, 2020 Aspersdorf; test site 48.595837, 16.092189; pre-crop: common bean). Plot size was 1000-1400 m². The trials include the fol owing 9 varieties: Aristaro, Arminius, Blickfang, Capo, Edelmann, Liocharls, Mandarin, Wendelin, and Lennox as border plot variety (farmer’s choice). By 15 April 2022 the trial was two times harrowed. Wendelin was significantly later in germination and juvenile growth. By 23 May most varieties were already heading (BBCH53-57), except Aristaro (BBCH49) and Wendelin (BBCH47).

Mandarin was at that time already flowering (BBCH67). On 21 July a 40 m² core plot was harvested by a Wintersteiger Delta combine at a grain moisture content of about 10%.

The highest protein yield was realised by Lennox (637 kg/ha), followed by Capo (614

kg/ha), Blickfang (606 kg/ha) and Mandarin (602 kg/ha). All other varieties realised less than 500 kg/ha protein yield, i.e. Liocharls Population (582 kg/ha), Wendelin (579 kg/ha), Arminius (558 kg/ha), Aristaro (537 kg/ha) and Edelmann (509 kg/ha). Considering the Austrian limits for organic quality wheat for protein content and test weight, all varieties would have been rejected because of protein content <12%. Lennox also missed the threshold for test weight. With respect to protein content, Blickfang, Edelmann and Lennox also missed the lower requirement of 11% for Mahlweizen.





26





Table 13. Results of the winter wheat trial in Aspersdorf, 2022.

Genotype

Grain yield

Protein

Test



1000 grain Spikes/m²

(dt/ha) at

content

weight

weight (g)

(n)

14% H2O

(%)

(kg/hL)

Aristaro

47.56

11.3

82.6



43.6

479

Arminius

48.95

11.4

83.3



49.6

427

Blickfang

58.84

10.3

80.8



43.7

448

Capo

54.30

11.3

84.4



45.1

367

Edelmann

48.91

10.4

83.2



41.2

500

Lennox

60.06

10.6

79.0



43.2

432

Liocharls Pop.

50.18

11.6

81.5



44.9

377

Mandarin

52.84

11.4

82.7



48.6

431

Wendelin

51.67

11.2

82.5



43.6

377

The third trial was sown on 27 October 2021 in the production area “Herzogenburg-, Tulln-

, Stockerauer Gebiet” at the farm of Hermann Schwarzl (Dorfstr. 20, 3463 Starnwörth; test site: 48.424772, 16.032189; pre-crop: oilseed pumpkin). The trial included the fol owing 9

varieties: Alessio, Aristaro, Arminius, Blickfang, Capo, Edelmann, Mandarin, Wendelin, and Christoph as border plot (farmer’s choice). Second harrowing was carried out on 22 April.

On a field day on 7 June 2022, some individual spikes infected with common bunt were observed in individual strip plots despite that certified organic seed was used. Harvest was done on 5 July 2022. Highest protein yields were realised by Wendelin (676 kg/ha), Arminius (635 kg/ha), Aristaro (626 kg/ha) and Capo (601 kg/ha), fol owed by Blickfang (585

kg/ha), Edelmann (572 kg/ha), Christoph (548 kg/ha), Mandarin (523 kg/ha) and Alessio (467 kg/ha). Summarising the three trials in the eastern part of Austria, only Capo realised protein yields above 600 kg/ha in each trial which demonstrates the broad adaptation of this variety to organic production at each site of the main Austrian wheat production area.

Considering the Austrian limits for organic wheat for protein content and test weight, al varieties would have been rejected a premium payment as quality or baking wheat because of protein contents <11%, whereas test weight was significantly above the required limit of 80 kg/hL for the highest quality class.





27





Table 14. Results of the winter wheat trial in Starnwörth, 2022.

Genotype

Grain yield

Protein

Test

1000 grain Spikes/m²

(dt/ha) at

content

weight

weight (g)

(n)

14% H2O

(%)

(kg/hL)

Alessio

49.63

9.4

85.2

43.5

390

Aristaro

59.04

10.6

84.9

46.0

414

Arminius

65.48

9.7

82.4

49.8

543

Blickfang

62.28

9.4

83.2

46.1

397

Capo

64.58

9.3

86.2

45.4

559

Christoph

57.03

9.6

82.7

51.3

442

Edelmann

59.56

9.6

84.9

41.7

550

Mandarin

63.76

8.2

82.6

46.6

541

Wendelin

66.29

10.2

85.2

47.6

450

The last trial was sown on 20 October 2021 in the production area “Grieskirchen-Kremsmünster Gebiet” at the farm of Anton Berger (Hinterleiten 1, 4673 Gaspoltshofen; test site: 48.164910, 13.755902; pre-crop: grass-clover ley). The trial included the following 7 varieties: Arminius, Blickfang, Liocharls population, Purino, Rübezahl, Tobias, Wendelin, and Lukullus as farmer’s choice. No manure was applied to the FPT plots but only to the rest of the field. Weed infestation was scored during the field day on 17 June 2022 and revealed a heavier infestation with cornflower ( Centaurea cyanus) and cleavers ( Galium aparine) in the Secobra varieties Blickfang, Purino, Rübezahl and Wendelin. Harvest was done on 18 July 2022. The highest protein yield on this site was realised by Lukullus (784

kg/ha), followed by Arminius (780 kg/ha), Blickfang (764 kg/ha), Purino (666 kg/ha), Liocharls Population (641 kg/ha), Tobias (615 kg/ha), Wendelin (609 kg/ha) and Rübezahl (565 kg/ha). Considering the Austrian limits for organic wheat for protein content and test weight, the tested varieties would have been classified as follows: Arminius, Tobias and Wendelin as Qualitätsweizen, Blickfang, Liocharls Population and Lukullus as Mahlweizen, whereas Purino missed the limit of 78 kg/hL for test weight, and Rübezahl the limit of 11%

for protein content for Mahlweizen and would be, thus, traded only as organic feed wheat.





28





Table 15. Results of the winter wheat trial in Gaspoltshofen, 2022.

Genotype

Grain yield (dt/ha)

Protein Test weight

1000 grain

Spikes/

at 14% H2O content (%)

(kg/hL)

weight (g)

m² (n)

Arminius

64.44

12.1

83.8

45.9

422

Blickfang

66.44

11.5

81.2

41.9

459

Liocharls

55.70

11.5

80.3

44.2

369

population

Lukullus

66.99

11.7

81.6

41.7

399

Purino

52.03

12.8

75.9

38.3

418

Rübezahl

57.02

9.9

78.6

45.4

407

Tobias

50.82

12.1

83.2

39.2

442

Wendelin

49.12

12.4

80.4

45.7

385





29





2.3. Wheat participatory field trials in the Slovak Republic

The participatory field trials were performed on four organic farms located in Slovakia (Table 16 and Fig. 4).

Table 16. List of organic farms with participatory field trials in Slovakia.

Name of farm

Farm address

GPS

GPS

MSL

Area of

latitude

longitude

(m)

farm site

BIOMILA, spol. s r.o.

Rudník 428

48.760822

17.638586

325

135.07 ha

Vladimír Zeman SHR

Polianka 115

48.721571

17.595196

416

179.87 ha

Martin Kolárik SHR

Horná Polianka

48.72704

17.58127

416

64.84 ha

203

SEMA HŠ s.r.o.

Nový Dvor 1862

48.214648

17.597916

121

1313 ha

Note: GPS - global positioning system; MSL - mean sea level





Fig. 4. Location map of the four farms in Slovakia.

A total of eight wheat varieties (both domestic and international) were sown in autumn 2021 in plots with a minimum plot size of 300 m2 (Table 17). Selected varieties were chosen for their specific traits for organic cultivation and low-input trials. The til age of the experimental plots was conventional. The sowing dates and conditions were different.

Cultivars were seeded on 18 October 2021 in SEMA HŠ s.r.o. Sládkovičovo and 29 October 2021 in Rudník (Biomila spol. s.r.o., SHR Martin Kolárik, SHR Vladimír Zeman). Prior to the seedling, weeds were control ed using the false seedbed method. The sowing density was 30





450 plants per m2 at each location. Inter-row cultivation was performed three times during the growing season and weed infestation was low.

Table 17. The list of varieties with their 1000 grain weight (TGW).

Variety name

TGW (g)

Seeding rate (g/m2)

Allesio

42.8

22.50

Arnold

38.2

18.00

Aurelius

39.4

18.00

Ehogold

41.4

18.00

Is Laudis

43.8

20.25

Capo

40.3

18.00

Viki

38.3

20.25

PS Dobromila

47.1

20.25



Cultivars were evaluated during the vegetation period on all farms: winter response, growth habit, ground cover, flag leaf emergence, date of heading, number of wheat heads, plant height (cm), canopy, lodging, identification and scoring of diseases, and pests using a 1-9 scale (1 meaning low prevalence), grain yield (kg/ha), test weight (kg/hl).

The weather conditions during the vegetation period on al farms were general y good for the vegetation and development of wheat. The summer was too hot, fol owed by high

temperatures and lack of rain, particularly the quality of wheat harvested.

Participatory field trials were harvested at the end of July 2022 according to the full maturity stage with moisture at 14%. Approximately 1 kg of representative grain sample was used for moisture determination, and quality analyses (protein, moisture, starch, volume weight, sedimentation index, falling number, dry matter, and nitrogen).

General y, wheat had no significant issues with diseases and pests. Til etia caries, T.

controversa and Septoria tritici were the most prevalent diseases observed in field trials, but the occurrence was very low (Tables 18 & 19). Varieties appear to have good tolerance to the diseases and pests.





31





Table 18. Disease evaluation Til etia caries, Til etia controversa, Septoria tritici and agronomic characters varieties of plant height, lodging, and grain yield levels in the 2021-22 season from farm SEMA HŠ s.r.o. in Sládkovičovo.

Variety name

Tilletia

Tilletia

Septoria

Plant

Lodging

Grain

caries

controversa

tritici

height

yield

(cm)

(t/ha)

Allesio

1

1

1

103

1

7.00

Arnold

1

1

1

100

1

6.14

Aurelius

1

1

1

114

1

7.04

Ehogold

1

1

1

118

1

7.01

IS Laudis

1

1

1

106

1

7.02

Capo

1

1

1

108

1

7.23

Viki

1

1

1

104

1

7.00

PS Dobromila

1

1

1

106

1

6.80



Table 19. Disease evaluation of Til etia caries, Tilletia controversa, Septoria tritici and agronomic characters varieties of plant height, lodging, and grain yield levels in the 2021-22 season from farm Biomila, spol. s.r.o.

Variety name

Tilletia

Tilletia

Septoria

Plant

Lodging

Grain

caries

controversa

tritici

height

yield

(cm)

(t/ha)

Allesio

1

1

3

103

1

1.8

Arnold

1

1

3

99

1

2.40

Aurelius

1

1

3

113

1

1.90

Ehogold

1

1

3

115

1

1.80

IS Laudis

1

1

3

106

1

1.50

Capo

1

1

3

108

1

1.80

Viki

1

1

3

102

1

1.50

PS Dobromila

1

1

3

107

1

2.00



The mean grain yields calculated to 14% moisture are shown in Table 3 and Fig. 2. They varied between varieties and among locations. The highest yielding cultivar was Capo 7.23

t/ha at the SEMA HŠ s.r.o. location, while the lowest was recorded for IS Laudis at 1.4 t/ha (SHR Vladimír Zeman).





32





Table 20. Mean grain yield at four locations in growing season 2021/2022.

Location

Mean grain yield (t/ha)

SEMA HŠ Sládkovičovo

6.94

SHR Martin Kolárik

1.81

Biomila, spol. s.r.o.

1.8

SHR Vladimír Zeman

1.7





Fig. 5. Mean grain yield at four locations in growing season 2021/2022.



Results of the analysis on starch, wet gluten, sedimentation index, volume weight, and proteins are shown in Tables 21 and 23.

The highest protein content was produced by Viki (12.08%) at SEMA HŠ s.r.o. and the lowest by Aurelius (9.3%) at SHR Martin Kolárik. The mean highest protein content was at SEMA HŠ s.r.o. 11.96 % and the mean lowest at Biomila spol. s.r.o. 10.3% (Tables 21 and 23).

The sedimentation value also showed the differences between the mean values of all trials.



33





Values ranged from 50 ml (IS Laudis) at SEMA HŠ s.r.o. to 27 ml (Aurelius) at SHR Martin Kolárik. The highest mean value was 44.13 ml at SEMA HŠ s.r.o. and the lowest at SHR

Martin Kolárok 32.88 ml (Table 4. and Table 6.). The percentage of wet gluten was the highest at SEMA HŠ s.r.o. 25.53% and the lowest at SHR Martin Kolárik 18.8% (Table 4. and Table 6.). In the range of varieties, the highest percentage had IS Laudis 27% at SEMA HŠ

s.r.o. and the lowest Aurelius 16.7% at SHR Martin Kolárik. The highest starch values were analysed at BIOMILA spol. s.r.o. 62.6% and the lowest at SEMA HŠ s.r.o. 61.49%. Among the varieties, the highest content produced Capo 63.5% at Biomila spol. s.r.o. and the lowest Viki 59.7% at Sema HŠ s.r.o. The variety with the highest test weight produced Ehogold 84.5 kg/hl at Sema HŠ s.r.o. and the lowest Viki 76.3 kg/hl at SHR Martin Kolárik.

Table 21. Test weight, protein content, sedimentation value, percentage of wet gluten, and percentage of starch in grains in organic trials in growing season 2021/2022.

Location

Protein

Sedimentation

Wet gluten

Starch

Test weight

(%DM)

value (ml)

(%DM)

(%DM)

(kg/hl)

SEMA HŠ s.r.o.

11.96

44.13

25.53

61.49

82.54

Sládkovičovo

Biomila, spol.

10.3

33.1

19

62.6

80.1

s.r.o.

SHR Vladimír

11.3

40.1

22.3

61.9

81

Zeman

SHR Martin

10.31

32.88

18.8

62.34

79.63

Kolárik



Table 22. Values of indicators of quality characteristics of selected varieties in organic trials at farm SEMA HŠ s.r.o. Sládkovičovo in growing season 2021/2022.

Variety name

Starch

Wet

Sedimentation





Volume


Protein


(%)

gluten (%)

index

weight (kg/hl)

(%)

Allesio

61.6

25.5

42

82.1

12.1

Arnold

61.8

23.3

39

80

11.0

Aurelius

62.6

24.8

44

83.4

11.4

Ehogold

62.5

25.1

46

84.5

11.5

IS Laudis

60.9

27

50

83.3

12.6

Capo

61.2

26.2

42

83.8

12.2

Viki

59.7

26.1

45

79.2

12.8

PS Dobromila

61.6

26.2

45

84

12.1

Note: Starch [%] calibrated by IS0 10520; Wet gluten [%] calibrated by ICC 155; Sedimentation index, calibrated by ISO

5529:2007; Volume weight (kg/hl) – bulk density ISO 7971-3: 2009; Fal ing number (s) ISO 3093: 2009; Proteins (Nx5,7

%) in dry matter (%), Dumas method





34





Table 23. Values of indicators of quality characteristics of selected varieties in organic trials at farm Biomila, spol. s.r.o. SHR Vladimír Zeman and SHR Martin Kolárik in growing season 2021/2022.

BIOMILA,

Allesio Arnold Aureli

Ehog

IS

Capo

Viki

PS

spol.s.r.o.

us

old

Laudi

Dobromil

s

a

Protein (%)

11.2

10.4

9.5

10.5

10.4

9.9

10.3

10.5

Sedimentatio

34

35

28

35

35

33

31

34

n index

Wet gluten

20.4

19.6

17.1

19.8

19

18.3

17.7

19.8

(%)

Starch

61.8

62.1

63.2

63.1

62.4

63.5

61.5

62.8

(%)

Test weight

77.7

77

81.5

81.5

83.4

81.7

77.4

80.5

(kg/hl)





SHR Vladimir Allesio Arno Aureli Ehog IS Laudis Cap Viki

PS

Zeman

ld

us

old

o

Dobrom

ila

Protein (%)

11.6

10.7

11.5

11.4

10.7

11.7

11.1

11.3

Sedimentatio

41

39

43

40

39

39

41

39

n index

Wet gluten

23

21.1

23

23.5

21.7

21.4

22.5

22

(%)

Starch

61.5

62.1

62.2

61.2

62.6

60.8

62.7

61.9

(%)

Test weight

82

82.3

82.1

79.2

83.6

76.9

82.2

80

kg/hl)





SHR Martin

Alle

Arnol

Aureli Ehogold

IS

Cap

Viki

PS

Kolárik

sio

d

us

Laudis

o

Dobromila

Protein (%)

10.7

10.4

9.3

10.5

10.5

10

10.3

10.8

Sedimentatio

32

35

27

35

36

32

31

35

n index

Wet gluten

19.5

19.5

16.7

19.8

19.1

18.3

17.3

20.2

(%)

Starch

61.9

61.9

62.6

62.7

62.5

63.2

61.8

62.1

(%)

Test weight

78.9

77.8

81.1

81.9

79.1

81.8

76.3

80.1

kg/hl)

Note: Starch [%] calibrated by IS0 10520; Wet gluten [%] calibrated by ICC 155; Sedimentation index, calibrated by ISO

5529:2007; Volume weight (kg/hl) – bulk density ISO 7971-3: 2009; Falling number (s) ISO 3093: 2009; Proteins (Nx5,7 %) in dry matter (%), Dumas method





35





36





Fig. 6. Participatory field trails and Field Day in Slovakia.





37





2.4. Wheat farmer participatory trials in Serbia

Winter wheat farmers participatory field trials (season 2021/2022) were performed on two farms located in the north Serbian province Vojvodina (typical Pannonian plain). Due to difficulty of getting seeds from all varieties that we sowed last year, we had only 7 varieties in Task 6.2. On each farm 7 (+1) winter wheat varieties were included, and four of them were varieties from Serbia that are most suitable for organic farming. Variety NS OBI-CCP

was included only on Šuljam farm. Plot size was 300 m2 (3 x 100 m) and seed rate was 600

seeds/m2 as sowing was outside the optimum date.

Table 24. List of varieties on WP6 wheat Farms (2022).

1 MV CCP

2 PS Dobromila

3 Capo

4 NS 40S

5 NS Obala

6 NS Ilina

7 NS Mila

8 NS OBI CCP-Šuljam only

Table 25. Farms, locations, sowing and harvest dates in Serbia.

Farm

Location

Sowing date

Harvest date

IFVC - experimental field

Rimski šančevi

13. 12. 2021

06. 07. 2022

Ignjat Jurišić (Zlatno zrno)

Šuljam

15. 12. 2021

08. 07. 2022



Harvest of the WP6 varieties from Serbia was performed with the hand-held harvester.

We used a frame size 1x1 m for harvest area. From every variety, samples were taken

from four (4) locations in each plot. Samples from each farm were collected and post-harvest analyses were performed.



38





Fig. 7. Hand harvesting of wheat FPT (Šuljam 08.07.2022).

2.4.1. Results

Average values of the examined traits are shown in Table 26. Grain yield varied between varieties and among locations. The highest average value for harvest yield (54 dt/ha) was recorded for the variety Capo at the Šuljam location, while the lowest value was recorded for the MV Elite (25 dt/ha) at the IFVC experimental field. Moreover, Capo had the highest average test weight of 82.2 kg/hl (Šuljam), while the lowest test weight of 73.2 kg/hl was recorded for NS Mila (IFVC). The highest average TKW (42.6 g) was recorded for the variety PS Dobromila (Šuljam), while lowest average value for TKW (34.4 g) was recorded in the NS 40S (IFVC).

Highest protein (IFVC) and wet gluten content (Šuljam) are recorded for variety Capo, while PS Dobromila (IFVC) had the highest sedimentation value (50.2). The lowest protein, sedimentation and wet gluten content are recorded for NS Mila at the IFVC experimental field. Environmental conditions during the anthesis and grain fil ing period were not suitable for the development of common wheat diseases.





39





Table 26. Examined traits of WP6 wheat varieties.

IFVC

Traits/Variety

Mv

PS

Capo

NS 40S

NS

NS

NS

Yield (dt/ha) Harvest

Elite

25

Dobromi

28 la

36

32

Obal

41 a



Ilina

28

Mila

35

yi

Pe

r ld(

ot dt

ei /

n h

( a)

%)

11.8

13.1

15.2

11.8

10.9

11.3

10.2

Sedimentation (ml)

33.1

50.2

47.3

33.4

23.4

27.1

22.6

Wet gluten (%)

33.9

34.5

37

22.6

25.7

26.2

16.2

Test weight (kg/hl)

76.5

80.3

79

73.3

77.6

73.3

73.2

TKW (g)

38.5

40.6

39.8

34.4

39.3

40.5

37.7

Septoria tritici (%)

0

0

20

0

0

0

0

Steam rust (1-9)

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Leaf rust (1-9)

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Yellow rust (1-9)

1

1

1

2

1

1

1

Šuljam

Traits/Variety

Mv

PS

Capo

NS

NS

NS

NS

NS

Yield (dt/ha)

Elite

29 Dobromi

41 la

54

40S

36

Obal

23 a



Ilina

30

Mila

31

OBI

27

(dt/ha)

Pr )

oytie

ei ld(

n ( dt

%)/ ha)

12.1

12.7

14.6 11.4

11.3

10.7

10.4

12.3

Sedimentation (ml)

30.6

48.3

45.8 31.5

22.7

25.2

23.6

26.4

Wet gluten (%)

31.4

33.2

37.2 23.3

24.6

24.1

18.1

24.8

Test weight (kg/hl)

74.1

79.6

82.2 76.4

74

75.2

75.7

78.3

TKW (g)

39.3

42.6

37.6 36.2

40.5

38.7

35.2

37.2

Septoria tritici (%)

0

0

15

0

0

0

0

20

Steam rust (1-9)

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Leaf rust (1-9)

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

Yellow rust (1-9)

1

1

1

2

1

2

1

1

2.4.2. Wheat participatory plant breeding in Serbia

In 2021/2022 we conducted 6.3 wheat trial on one location in Serbia. Golden Grain (Zlatno zrno) farm is certified organic. The trial consisted of 3 plots (plot=2x1 m), 6 rows per plot, hand sowed. NS OBI-CCP is the name of the wheat population.

• Šuljam-Ignjat Jurišić (Zlatno zrno)

• Sowing date: 17.11.2021.

• Harvest date: 08.07.2022.

• GPS: 45.05'33.4' N, 19.41'04.7' E





40





2.5. Durum wheat trials in Italy

In the frame of the ECOBREED project, for the second year was performed a participatory breeding program in the three farms located in the central area of Italy from inland to the seaside, respectively at Rieti (400 m asl), Viterbo (300 m asl) and Montalto di Castro (68

asl). For each farm plots of 300 m2 were evaluated with nine genotypes of different origin (from the Mediterranean basin to Central Europe) and one population composed of a mix with 27 different accessions. They have been evaluated for traits such as ground cover (GCover), growth habit (GHabit), phenological stages using the BBCH scale (Lancashire et al. 1991), 1m2 grain yield, and grain quality with NIR analysis during the 2021-2022 growing season. The weather during the season was characterised by an extended and deep drought event which affected much of the Italian territory from January 2022 onwards.

For this reason, and due to the late sowing, the amount of grain from the plots in Viterbo wasn’t enough for NIR analysis. Before the harvest two evaluation events were organised where farmers from al over the area were invited to evaluate the trail and give a judgment on the genotypes through a questionnaire. They scored each plot with a mark between 0

and 10 looking at homogeneity, ground cover, the ability to compete with wild grass, tillering, tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress, plant height, number and size of ears (Fig.

1). Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to organise the event at the farm of Rieti.

2.5.1. Results

The genotypes, sown in late January in Viterbo, showed great differences for all traits, due to the long period with lack of water. All the plots registered a low ground cover index and a shorter phenological cycle with less tilling which led to less production (Table 27).

However, the genotype with more production was one with the origin in the Mediterranean basin (Azeghar2-1(56)) fol owed by the CCP population. In the mountain area of Rieti big differences between the genotypes originated in the Mediterranean basin and Central Europe are not reported although the latter have shown a better ground cover and therefore a better competition to wild grass, which is an important factor for organic production (Table 28). At the farm of Montalto di Castro the best genotypes were the ones with origin in the Mediterranean basin plus the population which has shown a good ability of adaptation to the stress conditions (Table 29). Considering the yield, the grain quality, and the ability of ground cover we can report that the best genotypes for Viterbo were Azeghar2-1(56) fol owed by the CCP population and Mv. Pelsodur. In Montalto di Castro again Azeghar2-1(56) was followed by the population and Vulci; meanwhile, in Rieti the best genotypes were Lunadur, HFN 94n, and Azeghar2-1(56).

Although our measurements led to the choice of some genotypes, this disagrees with the 41





evaluation of the farmers, fol owing the traits previously listed; their attention was on other genotypes (Fig. 8 A and B). In Viterbo, considering the late sowing and the lack of water, they were marked as the best line MVTD15-19 mostly for its higher percentage of ground cover. Meanwhile, in Montalto di Castro, they choose as the best genotype Mv-Pelsodur, followed by Senatore Cappelli which is an ancient Italian variety.



Figure 8. ECOBREED WP6 evaluation event with the farmers at the field trial located in Montalto di Castro.

Table 27. Measurement of the ground cover ability (Gcov), the growth habit (Ghabit), the phenological stage (BBCH) and the grain yield in 1 m2 in Viterbo.

Genotypes

Gcov24/0

Gcov03/0 Ghab24/0 BBCH24/0 BBCH03/0

1m2 yield

3

5

3

3

5

(g)

Azeghar2-1

10.5

37.8

3

22

49

118.3

(56)

HFN 94n

12.4

29.1

5

22

49

86.1

Lunadur

9.6

34.9

8

21

37

78.5

MVTD15-19

14.2

47.3

7

22

37

50.1

Ousloukos

17.2

38.9

2

22

39

83.4

Mv-Pelsodur

11.9

38.5

7

21

39

97.6

Sebatel2(45)

13.7

44.5

4

21

50

68.8

Sen. Cappelli

18.3

44.3

4

22

45

40.4

Vulci

8.2

35.3

5

21

39

55.5

Population

13.3

44.0

5

22

-

109





42





Table 28. Measurement of the ground cover ability (Gcov), the growth habit (Ghabit), the phenological stage (BBCH), the grain yield in 1 m2, the grain protein content (Prot) and the wet gluten in Rieti.

Genotypes

Gcov23/

Gcov02/ Ghab23/ BBCH02/ 1m2

Prot

Wet Gluten

03

05

03

05

yield

(%)

(%)

Azeghar2-

17.33

54.8

5

37

346.5

12.8

25.7

1(56)

HFN 94n

11.4

70.7

4

37

357

14.7

30

Lunadur

14.07

70.3

4

30

361

11.7

23.3

MVTD 15-19

18.04

75.2

3

37

323

13.7

27.8

Ousloukos

27.51

76.0

6

39

221.7

11.7

23.3

Pelsodur

14.8

53.4

5

37

235

13.6

27.6

Makaroni

17.15

75.7

6

37

232.3

10.1

19.6

Sen.

18.86

61.8

7

39

270.5

10

19.2

Cappelli

Vulci

22.69

77.2

8

39

272.7

10.8

21

Population

14.15

76.3

4

40

333

11

21.9

Table 29. Measurement of the ground cover ability (Gcov), the growth habit (Ghabit), the phenological stage (BBCH), the grain yield in 1 m2, the grain protein content (Prot) and the wet gluten in Montalto di Castro.

Genotypes

Gcov1 Ghab15 BBCH1

BBCH17/

1m2

Prot

Wet

5/03

/03

5/03

05

yield (g)

(%)

Gluten (%)

Azeghar2-1(56)

54.2

2

30

73

358.6

11.4

22.4

HFN 94n

48.4

2

29

71

174.2

15.4

32

Lunadur

40.9

7

23

69

270.8

17

35.5

MVTD15-19

35.2

7

23

69

161.3

13.3

27.3

Ousloukos

30.1

4

27

73

262.1

12

23.8

Mv-Pelsodur

42.7

5

27

69

202

13.5

27.4

Sebatel2(45)

55.0

2

30

75

247

15.8

32.5

Sen. Cappelli

69.4

2

30

69

180.5

13.6

28

Vulci

64.3

7

29

73

306

14.9

30.5

Population

29.3

3

29

73

327.2

13.9

28.1





43





10

10

9

9

8

8

7

7

6

6

5

5

4

4

3

3

2

2

1

1

0

0





A

B

Fig. 9. Mean score from the evaluation of the farmer in Viterbo (A) and Montalto di Castro (B). The score was calculated making the mean of al traits for each variety.





44





2.6. Participatory plant breeding in Hungary

The Hungarian on-farm organic wheat trials started in autumn 2020 (see ECOBREED

bulletin on participatory trials in 2021). Winter wheat varieties and two populations (Mv Elit CCP, Mv Bio2020 Pop) were sent to organic farmers with the aim to start participatory testing (PVS: participatory variety selection) and breeding (PPB: participatory plant breeding) on their farms. Trials were run on 3 farms in 2021 completed with 2 additional farms from the fol owing year, thus, besides the two Hungarian and one Slovakian locations (Szár, Füzesgyarmat and Zselíz), two other Hungarian farms at Kömlő and Tornyiszentmiklós (Organic Val ey) were involved in the experiment (Fig. 10). All farms are part of the on-farm trial network of ÖMKi (Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture), the research partner of ATK (Centre for Agricultural Research).



Fig. 10. Locations of participatory plant breeding trials organized by ATK. Participating organic farms are in red (2021, 2022) and blue (2022), breeding station (ATK) in green.

Like the previous year, cultivars were evaluated by farmers during the vegetation period in 2022. After farmers variety selection carried out in 2021, 3 more cultivars were examined at Szár, and two cultivars less at the other farms in 2022. Breeders of ATK visited the farms and they discussed the steps of observation, selection and harvest of trials with the farmers. The year 2022 was extremely dry, thus no lodging or pathogen symptoms

could be detected on the cultivars. Only cereal leaf beetle ( Oulema melanopus) damage was observed in Szár and Martonvásár (ATK). All trials were harvested in time and near infrared (NIR) rapid quality measurement was performed on the harvested seed samples.

Yield was determined from 5 random samples collected manual y from 1 m2 areas of each 45





medium sized plots on the farms. The trial on the farm near Szár was operating with smal er plots, thus they were harvested the ful plot using a smal plot combine harvester.

Yield and quality data for the 2022 on-farm trials are shown in Table 30 (medium sized plots) and Table 31/Fig. 11 (smal plots). Yield results of participatory trials are hard to be used for comparison, because of the different plot sizes and data types (estimated vs.

actual yield), but they are useful to rank the tested cultivars within each farm.

Based on the results of the on-farm trials, Mv Elit CCP showed mostly the highest protein and gluten contents and best Zeleny sedimentation value, while the Mv varieties were superior at Zselíz (by Biocentrum). Most of the Mv cultivars had a few percent weaker quality than the trial average at all farms, except in Zselíz. There were more varieties under examination as the part of ÖMKi’s on-farm trial network, but the Mv cultivars could perform near or above the trial average of the given farm in 2022. Only in Tornyiszentmiklós (Organic Valley) very low yield from Mv Elit CCP could be seen, while grain yield of all the other Mv cultivars were above the trial average, except for 2 varieties in Kömlő (Table 30).





46





Table 30. Agronomic results of Mv cultivars tested in 4 farms using medium sized plots (Hungary, 2022).

Site

Cultivar

Grain yield

Grain

Gluten

Test weight

Zeleny

protein

content

sedimentation

content

t/ha

% of

%

% of

%

% of

kg/100L

% of

mL

% of trial

trial

trial

trial

trial

avg.

avg.

avg.

avg.

avg.

Füzes-

Mv Bio2020 Pop

3.08 122% 12.9

95%

26.3

93%

79

100%

42

90%

gyarmat

Mv Elit CCP

3.04 120% 13.5 100% 27.7

98%

79

100%

46

99%

Mv Pántlika

3.12 123% 13.4

99%

27.8

99%

78

99%

46

99%

Mv Tarsoly

3.19 126% 12.9

95%

26.7

95%

77

98%

43

92%

Mv Uncia

2.85 112% 12.7

94%

26.4

94%

79

100%

40

86%

Biocentrum Mv Elit CCP

4.90 100% 15.7

99%

33.3

97%

79

100%

58

99%

Mv Pántlika

5.25 107% 16.2 102% 35.3 103%

81

102%

62

105%

Mv Tarsoly

5.25 107% 16.1 102% 34.8 102%

79

100%

61

104%

Mv Uncia

5.25 107% 16.5 104% 35.7 104%

78

99%

62

105%

Kömlő Farm Mv Elit CCP

2.21 105% 14.2 114% 30.3 119%

-

-

51

124%

Mv Kikelet

1.89

90%

12.1

97%

24.3

95%

-

-

39

95%

Mv Pántlika

1.47

70%

12.3

99%

24.8

97%

-

-

38

93%

Mv Tarsoly

2.20 105% 10.6

86%

19.6

77%

-

-

29

71%

Mv Uncia

2.69 128% 11.5

93%

22.8

90%

-

-

31

76%

Organic

Mv Elit CCP

1.90

53%

10.7

93%

18.0

85%

-

-

23

77%

Valley

The small-plot PVS trial was harvested in Szár, and after the measurement of the harvested grains from the three replications, one-way ANOVA was carried out. Significant difference was detected only between some of the best and the worst yielding cultivars, however grain yields of the two Mv populations were below the trial average, 7.58 t/ha (Fig. 11).



47





10

8,82 8,58

9

8,48 8,24 7,83 7,77 7,73 7,67 7,57

8

7,44 7,08 6,91 6,73 6,53

7

6,30

6

5

4

3

2

1

0



Fig. 11. Grain yield (t/ha) of 15 Mv cultivars grown on organic replicated small plots (Szár, 2022).

Quality of cultivars tested at Szár was measured with a rapid (NIR) grain quality analyser.

The variety, Mv Szilke had the highest protein and gluten contents, so as Zeleny sedimentation volume, followed by the two populations, except for the gluten content of Mv Bio2020 Pop, which was beaten also by 2 other varieties, Mv Tarsoly and Mv Felleg. At the same time, unlike the other population, test weight and thousand grain weight of Mv Elit CCP were found to be above the trial average in Szár, while the best quality variety, Mv Szilke had the lowest values regarding these traits (Table 31).





48





Table 31. Rapid (NIR) grain quality measurement data of winter wheat cultivars tested on replicated small plots at the organic field near Szár (Hungary, 2022).

Cultivar

Grain

Gluten

Zeleny

Test

Thousand

protein

content

sedimentation

weight

grain weight

content

(%)

(mL)

(kg/100L)

(g)

(%)

MV-SZILKE

14.3

34.1

58.3

76.5

33.3

MV-ELIT-CCP

14.1

33.5

53.7

81.7

42.0

MV-BIO2020-POP

13.6

31.7

48.5

81.3

40.4

MV-TARSOLY

13.4

32.4

43.4

78.4

37.8

MV-SEUSO

13.2

29.5

39.5

81.1

41.0

MV-FELLEG

13.1

32.1

45.6

81.3

43.1

MV-LUCILLA

13.0

31.3

43.3

83.8

38.1

MV-KIKELET

12.9

29.7

38.4

84.8

49.9

MV-PANTLIKA

12.8

28.2

35.6

81.4

46.1

MV-KAREJ

12.7

29.5

40.7

84.6

44.8

MV-UNCIA

12.6

27.6

36.3

84.3

41.7

MV-KAPLAR

12.2

27.1

33.0

80.2

37.3

MV-KOLO

11.7

28.7

32.1

82.2

40.8

MV-MENROT

11.4

26.2

29.5

82.1

46.1

MV-KOLOMPOS

11.0

24.4

23.2

78.8

53.0

Trial mean

12.8

29.7

40.1

81.5

42.4

Our participatory plant breeding (PPB) program was started based on the two populations (Mv Elit CCP and Mv Bio2020 Pop) sown by farmers. Positive selection of spikes was performed on both populations by 3 farmers in 2021 (Fig. 12). Selected spikes were sent to ATK and threshed into 6 bulks resulting in 6 new subpopulations (based on the population and farm of origin).



49





Fig. 12. Farmer with his own selected spikes as a step for participatory plant breeding (Szár, 2021).

The new sub-populations and the unselected (“original”) populations were sown at two locations in October 2021 (on-station (Martonvásár, ATK) and on-farm (Szár, farmer)) in non-replicated, smal -plot trials for multiplication and testing. Sowing of the plots at the on-farm location occurred later, therefore the early soil coverage was weaker than at Martonvásár. In average at the two sites, soil coverage of the selected sub-populations (in comparison to the original populations) was higher in the case of Mv Elit CCP: subpopulation Mv Elit CCP FGY had higher value. In the case of the other population, the original plots covered 2-3% more from the soil than its sub-populations at the beginning of til ering. Average heading of the sub-populations occurred later or on the same day as that of their original populations, except for the sub-population of Mv Bio2020 Pop selected at Zselíz, which showed improvement in earliness. At the same time, this subpopulation was the tallest, either, fol owed by the other sub-population selected at the same farm (Zselíz). Based on these mean plant height data, the farmer preferences can be revealed, namely, the farmer in Zselíz had selected tal er plants, while the farmer in Szár had selected shorter plants from the population resulted in taller and shorter subpopulations, respectively (Table 32).





50





Table 32. Assessment data and grain yield of PPB sub-populations developed by the participating farmers and grown in organic fields of ATK (on-station) and Szár (on-farm) (Hungary, 2022).

Subpopulation

Farm of

Early soil

Heading date

Plant height

Grain yield

Grain

origin

coverage (%)

(1=1st May)

(cm)

(kg/6m2)

yield

(t/ha)

on-

on-

av

on-

on-

av

on-

on

av

on-

on-

avg.

Ra

statio

far

g.

stati

farm

g.

stati

-

g.

stati

farm

nk

n

m

on

on

far

on

m

MV-ELIT-CCP-

Szár

61

24

43

16

19

18

85

86

86

4.64

4.98

8.01

1

SZR

MV-BIO2020-

ATK

58

24

41

13

16

15

82

83

83

4.72

4.84

7.96

2

POP

MV-BIO2020-

Szár

56

20

38

14

16

15

76

81

79

3.85

5.25

7.58

3

POP-SZR

MV-ELIT-CCP

ATK

71

26

49

14

16

15

86

88

87

3.59

5,18

7.30

4

MV-BIO2020-

Zselíz

57

21

39

13

15

14

96

91

94

4.41

4,32

7.28

5

POP-ZS

MV-ELIT-CCP-ZS

Zselíz

68

24

46

14

16

15

90

89

90

4.48

3,83

6.93

6

MV-BIO2020-

Füzesgyar

57

20

39

14

16

15

86

88

87

4.00

4.26

6.88

7

POP-FGY

mat

MV-ELIT-CCP-

Füzesgyar

71

27

49

14

17

16

84

89

87

3.58

3.87

6.20

8

FGY

mat

Grain yield of the non-replicated plots were measured after harvesting the small plots.

Based on the average of the 2 sites, only the sub-population of Mv Elit CCP selected in Szár yielded more than the original population. At the same time, the yield of Mv Bio2020

Pop was improved in Szár by 8.6% due to the participatory selection. It must be also noted, that Mv Bio2020 Pop and its sub-population selected in Zselíz showed the highest yield stability across the 2 sites with a coefficient of variation around 1% (Table 32).

Rapid quality test (using NIR technology) of the cultivars were carried out for main quality traits (Table 33). Based on the results, the positive effect of the selection site can be seen, because the sub-populations selected in Szár and tested in Szár showed better performance than the respective original populations regarding each quality trait.

Moreover, only the sub-population of Mv Elit CCP selected in Szár had higher mean protein and gluten contents than the two original populations followed by the other subpopulation of Szár on the fourth place. The other 4 sub-populations originating from the other 2 farms had lower mean protein and gluten contents, among which Mv Elit CCP and the selection site Zselíz were the better performing. In the case of Zeleny sedimentation, the Mv Bio2020 Pop-SZR sub-population also outperformed its original population, while all the sub-populations had higher average test weight than the respective original populations. Regarding the average thousand grain weight, only the Mv Elit CCP FGY subpopulation had smaller grains than its original population, while – like test weight –

positive farmer selection effect was found regarding the other sub-populations.



51





Table 33. Rapid (NIR) grain quality measurement data of PPB sub-populations developed by organic farmers and examined on-station (Martonvásár, ATK) and on-farm (Szár, farmer) using small (6 m2) non-replicated plots in organic fields (Hungary, 2022).

Cultivar

Grain protein

Gluten content

Test weight

Zeleny

Thousand grain

content (%)

(%)

(kg/100L)

sedimentation

weight (g)

(mL)

Szá

AT

Avg

Szá

AT

Avg

Szá

AT

Avg

Szá

AT

Avg

Szá

AT

Avg

r

K

.

r

K

.

r

K

.

r

K

.

r

K

.

MV-ELIT-CCP-

15.7

10.1

12.9

36.1

22.7

29.4

81.6

82.4

82.0

65.1

19.1

42.1

44.1

44.9

44,5

SZR

MV-ELIT-CCP

14.3

9.0

11.7

33.6

19.7

26.7

81.4

81.8

81.6

54.9

17.0

36.0

43.5

44.2

43,9

MV-BIO2020-

13.2

9.7

11.5

30.5

19.8

25.2

81.5

80.1

80.8

42.2

15.1

28.7

43.0

43.5

43,3

POP

MV-BIO2020-

13.8

9.0

11.4

31.5

18.3

24.9

82.2

80.1

81.2

48.7

12.1

30.4

44.6

46.5

45,5

POP-SZR

MV-ELIT-CCP-

10.9

11.3

11.1

24.3

25.4

24.9

81.2

82.2

81.7

27.5

27.2

27.4

44.2

48.1

46,2

ZS

MV-ELIT-CCP-

12.3

9.3

10.8

28.1

20.4

24.3

80.9

82.5

81.7

30.2

17.3

23.8

40.0

44.6

42,3

FGY

MV-BIO2020-

10.8

9.8

10.3

24.0

20.0

22.0

81.5

81.4

81.5

22.0

16.9

19.5

43.8

45.6

44,7

POP-ZS

MV-BIO2020-

11.2

9.1

10.2

24.4

17.9

21.2

81.4

80.3

80.9

25.0

14.7

19.9

43.8

45.9

44,8

POP-FGY

The effectiveness of the selection on other sites could be examined a couple of years later, when the multiplied seeds will be enough to return to those farms. In the next season (2023), smal plot-trials will be continued at the same two locations (Martonvásár, Szár) using three randomised replications of the populations and sub-populations with different selection origin.

Similar to the previous year, our participatory trials, their preliminary results and ECOBREED project were presented at the Hungarian Organic Field Day in June 2022 at

Szár (Fig. 4). The demonstration event was organized by ÖMKi.



52





Fig. 13. Organic Field Day at Szár, 21 June 2022.





53





2.7. Wheat farmers participatory field trials in Slovenia

2.7.1. Methods

The winter wheat farmer participatory trial in Slovenia was conducted at the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia's testing station in Jablje, which has an organic field and is located at 46°08′37.3″ N, 14°34′39.2″ E; 320 m a.s.l., with a sub-alpine climate. The soil type at the trial was Umbrian planosol with a silt loam texture.

The trial utilised 22 cultivars (both domestic and international) chosen based on specific traits for organic cultivation and performance in organic and low-input trials. The Slovenian experts chose Ingenio, Savinja, Tata mata, Reska, Primorka, Marinka, Il ico, Izalco CS, Gorolka, Vulkan, and Nexera (i.e. Trial 1), while the ECOBREED project selected Liocharls, Arnold, Capo, Aurelious, Albertus, IS Laudis, Purino, Viki, Wendelin, Edelman, and Ehogold (i.e. Trial 2). The experimental plots were tilled conventional y using a 25 cm deep plough for seed-bed preparation with cultivation. A three-year crop rotation of maize, winter wheat or winter spelt, and spring peas was practiced. Weeds were control ed using the false seedbed method before seeding. The cultivars were seeded at a density of 400 viable seeds/m2 using the Wintersteiger experimental plot seeder on 28

October 2020. The design was a randomised block with four replications, and the plot size was 15 m2 (6 × 2.5 m). During vegetation, 63 kg N/ha was added using Azocor 10.5% at the tillering and stem elongation phases. No mechanical weed control, fungicides, or insecticides were applied. Traits evaluated included date of heading, number of wheat heads, plant height (cm), canopy, lodging susceptibility, diseases and pests, grain yield (kg/ha), grains moisture at harvest (%), and test weight (kg/hl). Plant height was measured on ten randomly selected individual plants in each plot before harvest. Ground cover, lodging susceptibility, diseases and pests were assessed using a 1–9 scale.

At the full maturity stage, the trials were harvested using a Wintersteiger Nursery Master plot harvester. Moisture determination and quality analyses were performed on approximately 1 kg of representative grain samples. The contents of moisture, protein, starch, and wet gluten were analysed using the Infratec Nova NIR analyser. Additionally, sedimentation values were analysed using the Zeleny sedimentation test.





54





2.7.2. Results

Winter wheat experienced generally favourable weather conditions during its vegetation period, promoting its growth and development. In comparison to the previous season,

this season experienced a similar level of warmth (+0.1 °C), but with significantly less precipitation (-462 mm) during the same period.

Table 34. Mean daily air temperature and cumulative monthly precipitation during the 2021/2022

growing season at Jablje, from sowing to harvest.

Year

2021/2022





Temperature

Precipitation

(°C)

(mm)

October

8.1

47.4

November

4.2

172.9

December

-0.9

95.0

January

-1.4

24.6

February

2.7

41.2

March

3.6

7.3

April

8.4

85.9

May

16.0

52.9

June

21.2

75.2

July

21.4

24.2

Mean/sum

8.3

626.6

Fig. 14 displays the results of the plant height analysis. The mean plant height in the second trial was greater than that of the first trial (94.4 cm and 80.5 cm, respectively). In Trial 1, the plant height ranged from 69.3 cm (Tata mata) to 87.3 cm (Marinka), while in Trial 2, the range was from 81.1 cm (Aurelius) to 108.2 cm (Ehogold). The cultivars with the tallest plants were Liocharls, Ehogold, and Capo. In general, the plant heights were smaller compared to the previous growing season.



55





Fig. 14. Plant height of the individual cultivars (columns) and trial mean (dotted line) in organic trials at Jablje in growing season 2021/2022. Green-shaded cultivars exceed the mean height of their respective trials.

Table 35. Estimates of ground cover and lodging tolerance for selected cultivars in organic trials at Jablje during the 2021/2022 growing season, using a 1-9 scale.

Cultivar

Ground cover Lodging Cultivar

Ground cover

Lodging

Ingenio

6

1

Liocharls

8

1

Savinja

7

1

Arnold

7

1

Tata mata

6

1

Capo

7

1

Reska

8

1

Aurelious

8

1

Primorka

8

1

Albertus

8

1

Marinka

8

1

IS Laudis

7

1

Illico

8

1

Purino

8

1

Izalco CS

8

1

Viki

8

1

Gorolka

7

1

Wendelin

8

1

Vulkan

8

1

Edelmann

8

1

Nexera 923

7

1

Ehogold

8

1

Mean

7.4

1

Mean

7,7

1

Table 35 shows that while no differences in lodging tolerance were observed among cultivars, minor differences in ground cover were noted. Ground cover estimates, scored on a 1-9 scale (with 9 indicating the highest ground cover), were smal er for cultivars in Trial 1 (mean estimate 6.2) compared to Trial 2 (mean estimate 7.0). The ground cover of cultivars ranged from 6 to 8 in Trial 1 and from 7 to 8 in Trial 2. However, the observed 56





differences in ground cover between cultivars were not reflected in differences in weed presence during the 2020/2021 growing season.

The prevalence of diseases was significantly lower in the 2021/2022 season compared to the previous season, which may be attributed to the higher amount of precipitation received during that season. Septoria tritici was the most prevalent disease observed in the field trials, with no difference in its prevalence between the trials (values of 2.1 and 2.0 for Trial 1 and Trial 2, respectively). However, individual cultivars showed some differences in tolerance. In Trial 1, Septoria values ranged from 1.0 (Tata Mata, Reska, Primorka, Marinka) to 5.0 (Vulkan), while in Trial 2, values ranged from 1.0 (Albertus, Purino, Viki, Wendelin) to 4.0 (Aurelius). Leaf rust was also observed in the trials. In Trial 1, a value of 3 (the highest) was recorded for Primorka while in Trial 2, a value of 3 (the highest) was recorded for Viki. The cereal leaf beetle ( Oulema melanopus) was the most prevalent pest found in the trials. Mean estimates of trials showed that ECOBREED-selected cultivars exhibited higher damage from the beetle also in this season (mean values of 1.9 and 3.0 for Trial 1 and Trial 2, respectively). In Trial 1, the highest value of 2

was found for most cultivars, while in Trial 2, the highest level of 5 was found for cultivar IS Laudis. Aphids were generally present on all cultivars, with only minor variation among them.



Fig. 15. Scoring of disease and pest prevalence for selected cultivars in organic trials at Jablje in growing season 2021/2022.



57





Fig. 16 illustrates the grain yields calculated at 14% moisture. ECOBREED-selected cultivars exhibited higher mean grain yields in organic production. Mean grain yield in Trial 1 was 5124 kg/ha, while in Trial 2 it was 6231 kg/ha. Additionally, there was less variation among cultivars in Trial 2 than in Trial 1. The mean grain yields of cultivars in Trial 1 ranged from 4252 kg/ha (Primorka) to 5841 kg/ha (Nexera), whereas in Trial 2, the mean grain yields ranged from 5398 kg/ha (Arnold) to 6898 kg/ha (Edelmann). Edelman, Ehogold, and Purino were the highest-yielding cultivars (ca. 6800 kg/ha). It is worth noting that higher grain moistures at harvest were again observed for cultivars in Trial 2, but none exceeded 14%.



Fig. 16. Grain yields of individual cultivars (shown in columns) and the trial mean (dotted line) in organic trials conducted at Jablje during the 2020/2021 growing season. Cultivars that yielded higher than the mean of their respective trial are highlighted in green.

Table 36 presents the results of an analysis of several quality traits in wheat cultivars across the two trials. The mean test weight was higher in Trial 2, ranging from 75.5 kg/hl to 84.6 kg/hl, with the cultivars Gorolka, Ehogold and Capo having the highest test weight.

The protein content showed no significant differences between the trials, ranging from 9.8% to 12.3% in Trial 1 and 11.5% to 13.6% in Trial 2. Cultivars Viki, Izalco CS, Capo, Albertus and Wendelin had the highest protein content (>12 %). The highest yielding cultivars showed lower protein content, indicating a likely dilution effect. The sedimentation values also showed no significant difference between the mean values of both trials, ranging from 24 ml (Illico) to 38 ml (Izalco) in Trial 1 and 34 ml (Arnold) to 48

ml (Viki) in Trial 2. Izalco CS, Albertus, Capo, Viki, Ehologold and Edelman had the highest 58





sedimentation values (> 38 ml), while cultivars with higher grain yield generally showed smal er sedimentation values. The percentage of wet gluten ranged from 17.6% (Il ico) to 26.4% (Izalco) in Trial 1 and 23.8% (Arnold) to 31.1% (Viki) in Trial 2. The percentage of starch general y had smal er variation than other quality traits, ranging from 69.7% to 71.5% in Trial 1 and 65.7% to 70.5% in Trial 2.

Table 36. Data on selected quality traits of wheat cultivars grown organically at Jablje during the 2021/2022 growing season. The traits analysed include test weight, protein content, sedimentation value, percentage of wet gluten, and percentage of starch.

Cultivar

Test weight Protein content Sedimentation value Wet gluten Starch

Kg/hl

%, DM

ml

%

%, DM

Ingenio

75.5

10.4

28.0

20.9

69.9

Savinja

79.2

10.4

30.0

20.4

70.7

Tata Mata

82.6

11.8

36.0

24.9

71.0

Reska

80.7

10.5

28.0

20.5

70.8

Primorka

79.7

10.3

29.0

19.9

70.7

Marinka

78.3

10.5

31.0

19.6

69.7

Illico

78.7

9.8

24.0

17.6

71.5

Izalco CS

81.5

12.3

38.0

26.4

70.9

Gorolka

84.3

11.6

36.0

24.2

70.5

Vulkan

80.0

11.2

32.0

23.0

71.2

Nexera 923 80.9

11.1

33.0

22.9

71.4

Mean

80.1

10.9

31.4

21.8

70.8

Liocharls

81.3

11.9

38.0

25.3

69.4

Arnold

79.1

11.5

34.0

23.8

67.4

Capo

84.4

12.4

44.0

27.6

69.3

Aurelious

83.3

11.6

37.0

24.6

70.5

Albertus

83.3

12.4

44.0

27.5

69.9

IS Laudis

81.6

11.5

36.0

23.9

69.3

Purino

79.4

11.7

36.0

25.2

68.4

Viki

78.7

13.6

48.0

31.1

65.7

Wendelin

82.6

12.8

43.0

28.1

66.9

Edelmann

82.9

11.7

37.0

24.5

70.4

Ehogold

84.6

12.4

44.0

27.5

68.9

Mean

81.9

12.1

40.1

26.3

68.7





59





3. Soybean

3.1. Soybean participatory trials in Serbia

As part of the ECOBREED project, farmer participatory trials for organic soybean were set up in Serbia. By setting up trials direct with organic producers, it was possible for them to assess the adaptability of the soybean varieties for organic production in specific agro-ecological conditions. This is one way for organic producers to contribute and to be involved in the process of creating new varieties, especially in CCP population observations.

During the 2022. organic farmers actively participated in the trial observations and received training on various occasions (location of trainings and demonstration events: Rimski šančevi and Šuljam) on how to select soybean variety that is better suited to their region and growth conditions.



Fig. 17. Šuljam trial and demonstration event.

The soybean trials were set up in 2022 at four locations (Rimski šančevi, Šuljam, Bela Crkva, Čurug).



60





Fig. 18. Trial locations in Serbia in 2022.

Up to nine (9) soybean varieties (000, 00, 0, I, II maturity groups) were evaluated in a network of large-plot trials in Serbia (Tab. 1.).

Table 37. Tested soybean varieties in 2022.

000

00

0

I

II

Favorit



NS Mercury

Galina

NS Apolo



Rubin



Taifun

Zora

*Xonia

NS Altis

Varieties from two breeding companies were tested (*Xonia, Saatgut Gleisdorf, Austria; Favorit, Taifun, NS Mercury, NS Altis, Galina, Zora, NS Apolo, and Rubin, Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia). Crops were sown during April and at the beginning of May and harvested in September/October. The experiment was set up in the form of

strips on an area of 300 m2 per variety. During vegetation inter-row cultivation was performed twice during the growing season (May/June), manual weed control, and harvest in September/October, according to maturity group. On al farms, field emergence, sowing density, growth development, ground cover, height and lodging were evaluated as well as occurrence of diseases and pests. Soybean varieties (00-II maturity groups) showed different adaptability to specific farm site conditions.



61





3,5

Yield t/ha

3

2,5

2

1,5

1

0,5

0

Xonia

Favorit

NS

Taifun

Galina

Zora

NS Altis NS Apollo

Rubin

Mercury



Fig. 19. Average yield for al locations in Serbia.

Agro-climatic factors had a significant impact on soybean yields in 2022 (Table 2.), especial y because of unusual y hot summer temperatures, a lack of precipitation during the crucial periods of soybean development, and precipitation during the harvest of soybeans in September and October. The average yield in all locations was in the range of 1.8 to 3.2 t/ha, which is significantly above the average for this year given the uniqueness of the year and unfavourable weather circumstances for soybean production.

The variety NS Altis (0) had the highest yield at the Rimski šančevi location with a yield of 3.2 t/ha. The variety Merkur (00), with a yield of 3.3 t/ha, was chosen for the Šuljam location. After first year of CCP observation, average yield was 1.9 t/ha, and material showed variation regarding maturity groups, and different morphological traits. After two years of setting up participatory trials for organic production the farmers got a solid foundation and a direction for selecting a soybean variety for specific agro-ecological conditions that is in line with the farmers’ requirements and the established production goal. Farmer participatory trials are a crucial milestone to define local criteria for variety selection and CCPs observations and for increased adoption of new and improved soybean varieties into low-input and organic production.





62





3.2. Soybean trials in Germany and Austria

The 2022 soybean trials were sown on six organic farms in Germany and three organic

farms in Austria. At the new farm in Austria the focus was on testing populations from IFVC Serbia and Saatzucht Gleisdorf with no assessment of yield data. Five of the six German farms were in Bavaria. The climatic conditions on the farms varied. While some farms can grow 00 varieties without problems, some farms are limited to varieties of maturity group 000. The sowing dates were again different with Jobst Farm starting on 16

April and ending at Schalk Farm on 20 May. The subsequent weather was dry or very dry on most locations causing harvest starting at end of August with partially very low yields.

The varieties selected partly by researchers from the project and partly by the farmers/consultants were almost the same as in 2021. The Serbian variety NS Mercury

was only sown at four locations because of late maturity but the variety Favorit from Serbia was sown for the first time at four locations. The cultivars Lenka, Xonia, Obelix and GL Melanie originated from Saatzucht Gleisdorf and were either bred there (GL Melanie) or conservation breeding takes place there. GL Melanie was grown at al 8 farms with yield data and Obelix was grown at the same 7 farms as in 2021. On most farms, field emergence, juvenile development, ground cover, growth height, lodging and maturity were evaluated. Diseases and pests did not occur. On one location in the varieties Obelix and Favorit pods burst due to hot weather conditions before harvest.

Varieties from the breeding partners:

• NS Mercury showed better results than in 2021. Protein content was above average.

• The Serbian varieties Favorit (maturity 000) and Galina (maturity 0) were grown for the first time, Favorit at four farms and Galina at two farms in Austria. Yield of both varieties was average or below average, protein was above average.

• The Serbian population NS CCP did not mature in two of the three locations in Germany while at the other location yield was low. At Jugovits Farm in Austria the

focus was on selection together with some Saatzucht Gleisdorf populations, so yield was not evaluated.

• The 00 variety Lenka, which is important for growing edibles, was grown on four

farms in Germany and one farm in Austria again. It showed average to good yields

and a high protein content as expected.

• The 00 variety Xonia is the first variety in this maturity group with low trypsin inhibitor content. These varieties have previously been said to have lower yields.



63





In our trials, the variety did not disappoint again. Yield and protein content were

close to average.

• The 000 variety GL Melanie was grown at all locations and did not repeat the very good results of 2021.

• The 000 variety Obelix had mixed results in yield again and protein below average.

Farmers’/advisers’ choice:

• In Germany the popular variety ES Comandor showed unstable or weak yields again. ES Compositor showed better results. Abaca showed average to good yield,

but protein was low. Achillea was grown for the first time on five farms and showed

good results at all locations. In Austria, ES Director and Altona did not repeat the very good results of 2022. RGT Satelia, ES Collector, Altona and Svelte showed good

yield but were grown only at one or two farms. Tofina and ES Mentor showed good

protein content as expected.

• Differences in protein from farm to farm was much higher in 2022 than in 2021.

• The trial with the Austrian seed treatment at Neder Farm failed. Plant were yel ow without nodules and protein content of the seeds was much lower.





64





Table 38. Yield in dt/ha for 2023. The two varieties with highest yields are marked in green, and the two with lowest in red.

Variety/Farmer

Sölch

Endres

Hopf

Binder

Jobst

Neder

Güssing

Schalk

NS Mercury





16

39



23.9

35.5

Lenka



28.3

49

30

27





37.5

Xonia





31



25.6

35.5

Obelix

19.9

22.8

43.6

31

54

13.1



35

GL Melanie

17.9

28.1

42.3

27

39

6.5

34.2

35.5

Favorit

15.7





31

31

4.8





Galina





24.2

34

NS CCP





22





ES Comandor

21.8

22.3

39.7



27

13.3

16.9



Adelfia

16.6

27

42.6

34





40

Tofina

18.9

23.9

34.2

31

41





ES Compositor

21.9

31

45.4





Achil ea

20.1



50.1

31





22.6

35.5

Abaca

21.4



41.8

31



10.9





Alicia

18.4

25.1

44.7





ES Mentor





31





RGT Sphinxa





45.3





RGT Satelia





50.5



37





SY Livius





44.1





ES Collector





51.2





Xena





3.2





22517





1.4





ES Director





22.1

40.5

Alvesta





21.9

39

GL Leonie (08)





17.9



GL Judith (20)





21.6



Altona





25.7

43

Svelte





27.9



Atacama





20.8



Average

19.3

25.7

44.6

28.6

36.3

7.8

23.5

37.2





65





Table 39. Protein % - 2023. The two varieties with highest yields are marked in green, and the two with lowest in red.

Variety/Farmer

Sölch

Endres

Hopf

Binder

Jobst

Neder

Güssing

Schalk

NS Mercury





41.9

47.6



41.8

44.5

Lenka



43.9

43.5

44

46.1





47.9

Xonia





45.3



42.4

42

Obelix

40.2

40.2

38.7

44.9

46

40



40.8

GL Melanie

43.5

42.6

39.9

44.1

47.5

40.6

41.7

43.1

Favorit

41.7





45.7

46.5

41.8





Galina





44.6

42.4

NS CCP





43.3





ES Comandor

43.2

42.1

41.1



46.9

40.7

43.6



Adelfia

44.5

42.5

40.6

43.8





43.5

Tofina

45.5

42.6

43.3

44.2

43.5





ES Compositor

43.2

41.9

40.9





42.6

Achil ea

44.2



41.6

45.2





44.5

43.7

Abaca

41.8



39.3

41.8



36





Alicia

43

40.4

39.7





ES Mentor





45

45.4





RGt Sphinxa





41.3





RGT Satelia





41.3



46.8





SY Livius





42





ES Collector





40.3





Xena





41.2





22517





46.1





ES Director





42.9

43.9

Alvesta





43.4

44.1

GL Leoni (08)





43.5



GL Judith (20)





41.2



Altona





42.8

43.7

Svelte





42.4



Atacama





43.5



Average

43.1

42.0

40.9

44.0

46.2

41.4

42.4

43.5





66





Table 40. Yield in dt/ha - 2022. The two varieties with highest yields are marked in green, and the two with lowest in red.

Variety/Farmer

Sölch

Endres

Hopf

Binder

Jobst

Neder

Güssing

Schalk

NS Mercury



39.3





12.8





34.2

Lenka



49.7

44.4

32.2

22.4



26



Xonia





49.1

30



28

34.4

Obelix

33.6

43.2

42.2

37.5

17

17.2

23



GL Melanie

47.6

46.2

36.3

31.4

21.4

15.7

48

36.7

ES Comandor

38.1

40.4

27.5



20.5

12.3





Adelfia

21.9





Aurelia





29.8

24.5





Tofina

37.7

41.3

39.4

28.2

24.1





RGT Sphinxa





34.6

23





ES Compositor

42.3

59



20.8



12

32

42.1

Aurelina

40.2

53.2





Arcardia

44.4



38



18.2





ES Mentor

40.3





26.2

22.4



35

38.8

Alicia

47





Yakari



59.3





Achil ea





42.6





39.8

SY Livius





41.2





Primus





29





Xena





27.4





22517





23.6





EGZ19111





19.8





ES Director





36

44.1

Alvesta





27

42.6

GL 08





26



GL 20





27



Altona





37

43.3

Average

39.3

48.0

38.5

30.7

21.3

18.3

31.4

39.6





67





Table 41. Protein % - 2023. The two varieties with highest yields are marked in green, and the two with lowest in red.

Variety/farmer

Sölch

Endres

Hopf

Binder

Jobst

Neder

Güssing

Schalk

NS Mercury



41.2





42.6





42.5

Lenka



45.8

46.4

42.2

46.0



42.5



Xonia





40.1

40.7



40.3

41.2

Obelix

42.2

40.0

41.0

40.8

40.1

45.2

39.0



GL Melanie

41.4

41.3

40.7

40.1

42.4

41.4

42.2

42.4

ES Comandor

41.9

40.9

41.6



41.1

41.2





Adelfia

42.2





Aurelia





44.3

42.3





Tofina

44.5

43.2

43.8

43.8

43.6





RGT Sphinxa





42.9

43.5





ES Compositor

42.5

41.5



40.7



41.9

41.7

43.5

Aurelina

44.5

44.1





Arcardia

42.0



39.6



39.6





ES Mentor

42.2





42.7

42.7



40.0

43.4

Alicia

41.2





Yakari



42.9





Achil ea





40.9





42.3

44.1

SY Livius





43.0





Primus





Xena





22517





43.3





EGZ19111





44.1





ES Director





41.6

42.3

Alvesta





44.2

GL 08





44.4



GL 20





39.7



Altona





40.7

42.4

Average

42.5

42.3

42.3

42.0

42.1

42.8

41.3

42.9





68





3.3. Soybean farmers participatory field trials in Slovenia

3.3.1. Methods

As part of the ECOBREED project, participatory trials for soybean farming were established in 2022 on two organic farms in the Dolenjska region of Slovenia (refer to Table 42). The trial plots were in Grosuplje, where the soil texture was silt, and in Videm Dobrepolje, where the soil texture was clay silt. Both locations experience a continental climate.

Table 42. Locations of soybean trials and main characteristics of the organic farms.

Name

Location of

Farm

Type of

Pedo-climatic Farm Farm

Organic

place

the trial

Elevation landscape zones/regions size

type

since

(years)

45°56'26.0"N





Continental





14°41'31.0"E

335

Val ey

temperate

12

Mixed

+20

Grosuplje



climate



45°51'30.5"N

441



Continental





Videm

14°42'41.2"E



Val ey /

temperate

24

Mixed

+12

Dobrepolje

“plateau”

climate





69





Researchers and variety experts selected a total of eight soybean cultivars (GL MELANIE, EZRA, OBELIX, XONIA LENKA, NS MERCURY, NS ATLAS, and GALINA) for testing. These cultivars were chosen based on differences in their maturity rating, growth type (determinant and semi-determinant), as wel as various other morphological and quality traits (Table 43).

Table 43. List of soybean varieties and their maturing ratings selected for farmer participatory trials in Slovenia.

Variety

Earliness group Definition

GL Melanie

000

Very Early

Obelix

000

Very Early

NS Mercury

00

Early

Lenka

00

Early

Xonia

00

Early

Ezra

0

Mid Early

NS Atlas

0

Mid Early

Galina

0

Mid Early

Minimal tillage without ploughing was used for the trials at the Grosuplje location, while intensive conventional til age involving a 25 cm deep plough followed by seedbed preparation with cultivation was used at the Videm Dobrepolje location. Soybean was first included in the farms' crop rotation in the ECOBREED trials in 2021. The trials in 2022 were established on 30th April, and 20th May using farm-available seeders, with a density of 57

and 48 seeds/m², respectively, and a row spacing of 70 cm at both locations. The seeds were not inoculated.

To assess the development and agronomic performance of the cultivars, several traits were evaluated, including date of emergence, plant height (cm), height of the lowest pods, canopy, lodging susceptibility, identification and scoring of diseases and pests, grain yield (kg/ha), and grain moisture at harvest (%). Yield was estimated by manual sampling of 0.7

m² with four repetitions for each variety, and grain samples were collected for protein content analysis. At both locations, buckwheat was the previous crop in the rotation before soybean was planted.

3.3.2. Results

Table 44 presents the basic weather conditions during the vegetation period, which were variable. A cold and wet May delayed emergence and early development, while hot and

dry conditions in August and September accelerated the maturation of the cultivars. In comparison to the previous season, 2022 was warmer (+1.4°C) and had higher precipitation (+124 mm), although the months of July and August were very dry.



70





Table 44. Mean daily air temperature and cumulative monthly precipitation from sowing to harvest of soybeans during the 2022 growing season, recorded at the Novo Mesto weather station.

Year

2021





Temperature

Precipitation

(°C)

(mm)

April

10.0

95.8

May

17.5

129.2

June

22.1

141.0

July

23.0

65.0

August

21.7

54.3

September

15.4

262.4

October

13.8

32.6

Mean/sum

17.6

780.3

In Grosuplje, soybean plants emerged 13 days after sowing, and their subsequent development was normal. In Videm Dobrepolje, plants emerged 7 days after sowing, fol owed by normal development. Farmers reported no damage from pests or diseases.

In general, the plants were taller at the Videm Dobrepolje location (+11 cm, Fig. 20). The variety NS Mercury reached the greatest height at Grosuplje (90 cm), while EZRA was the smal est (54 cm). At Videm Dobrepolje, NS Atlas was the tal est (95 cm), while Xonia and Galina were the smal est (78 cm). Although the heights of the first pods were not recorded by the farmers this season, they estimated them to be between 14-20 cm.



Fig. 20. Mean heights of soybean plants for each variety recorded at both trial locations.





71





The differences between maturity groups were noticeable at both locations, affecting the timing of harvest and related grain losses. At Grosuplje, the earlier maturing varieties were harvested first, followed by the later maturing varieties, which were harvested 10

days later. At Videm Dobrepolje, all varieties were harvested at the same time, and some grain losses were observed with the earliest varieties, which were overripe. However, no losses were observed for the later maturing groups. In general, yields were similar at both locations, with a mean difference of 700 kg/ha (Table 45). At Grosuplje, yields ranged from 20.5 t/ha (Ezra, maturity group 0) to 34.6 t/ha (Lenka, maturity group 00). At Videm Dobrepolje, grain yield ranged from 18.1 t/ha (Lenka) to 39.6 t/ha (Obelix, maturity group 000). Variety OBELIX produced the highest yield in both locations, with 34.6 t/ha in Grosuplje and 39.2 t/ha in Videm Dobrepolje. Varieties LENKA and GALINA also showed

relatively high yields in both locations, while varieties EZRA and XONIA performed better in Videm Dobrepolje. Varieties GL MELANIE and NS ATLAS produced better yields in Grosuplje, while NS MERCURY performed better in Videm Dobrepolje. The overall average yield for al varieties was 26.9 t/ha in Grosuplje and 27.6 t/ha in Videm Dobrepolje.

Table 45. Grain yields of the soybean cultivars at the locations Grosuplje and Videm Dobrepolje.

Yield (t/ha)

Grosuplje

Videm

Dobrepolje

GL MELANIE

28.8

25.4

EZRA

20.5

26.6

OBELIX

34.6

39.2

XONIA

23.1

36.9

LENKA

34.0

18.1

NS MERCURY

19.4

27.2

NS ATLAS

26.4

22.3

GALINA

28.2

25.3

Average

26.9

27.6

Table 5 provides information about the protein and oil content of different varieties of soybean at the locations - Grosuplje and Videm Dobrepolje. There is significant variation in the protein and oil content of the different varieties, with protein content ranging from 314 g/kg to 382 g/kg, and oil content ranging from 220 g/kg to 254 g/kg. The average protein content across al varieties is 352 g/kg at Grosuplje and 360 g/kg at Videm Dobrepolje. The average oil content across all varieties is 237 g/kg at Grosuplje and 226

g/kg at Videm Dobrepolje. The data also shows that there are some differences in protein and oil content between the two locations. For example, the average protein content is slightly higher at Videm Dobrepolje than at Grosuplje, while the average oil content is slightly higher at Grosuplje than at Videm Dobrepolje. It is not clear why these differences 72





exist, but it could be due to differences in soil type, climate, or other environmental or management factors.

Table 46. Content of protein and oil in the seed of soybean cultivars at the locations Grosuplje and Videm Dobrepolje.



Grosuplje

Videm Dobrepolje

Variety / content (g/kg):

Protein

Oil

Protein

Oil

GL MELANIE

378

230

357

228

EZRA

317

245

362

222

OBELIX

363

228

343

235

XONIA

366

237

373

224

LENKA

382

231

359

231

NS MERCURY

344

241

370

220

NS ATLAS

314

254

361

223

GALINA

353

233

357

224

Average

352

237

360

226

The data presented in Table 46 provides useful insights for organic farmers and researchers interested in selecting soybean varieties with high protein or oil content. By comparing the values for different varieties at different locations, it is possible to identify which varieties perform best under specific conditions. Moreover, the yields obtained at both locations suggest that organic soybean cultivation is feasible in this region, with potential for further optimisation through appropriate management practices and variety selection. This could lead to increased profitability for farmers while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Therefore, the data can serve as a valuable resource for decision-making and crop planning in the organic farming sector.





73





3.4. Soybean farmer participatory trials in Romania

Farmer participatory trials of soybean were established at four Romanian organic farms: Agroecologic Research & Innovation Center of NARDI Fundulea in county Călărași, ECOFRUCT and ECOVIAL Ștefan cel Mare in county Călărași and AGROTERRA Agigea in

county Constanța. The Romanian organic soybean DEMO farms are located in

Development regions South-Muntenia (3) and South – East (1), at diferrent altitudes and geographical coordinates and are place on cernozemic soils (Fig. 21,

Table 47).



Fig. 21. Map of Romanian ECOBREEED Soybean Demo Farms.

Table 47. Geographical settlement and soil types of the soybean FPTs in 2022.

Nr.

Farm Demo (FPTs) Name

Altitude

Position

Development Soil types

regions

1

Agroecological Research&Innovation

63

44°26'821"N

South -

Chernozem

Center/NARDI Fundulea

26°30'742"E

Muntenia

2

ECO-VIAL Ștefan cel Mare

33

44°25'14.2"N

South -

Chernozem

27°38'27.6"E

Muntenia

3

ECO-FRUCT Ștefan cel Mare

30

44°24'762"N

South -

Chernozem

27°38'397"E

Muntenia

4

AGROTERRA Agigea

63

44°05'370"N

South – East

Chernozem

28°33'646"E



74





Climatic data recorded for the period September 2021 – August 2022 at NARDI Fundulea shows that the monthly air temperature (Figure 22) was highest than the multiannual average values (LTA), excepting in September and October 2021 when the air temperature was similar to LTA and the agriculture year 2021 - 2022 was the second warmest year of the last 60 years.

30

25

25,6

25

22,6

22,7 22,3

20,8

20

17,5

17,3

17,9

17

15

12,1

11,3

11,3

10,2

10

7,7

2021 - 2022

5,4

4,9

4,7

4,4

5

LTA

2,6

2,1

0

0

-2,4 -0,4

-5



Fig. 22. Average monthly air temperatures recorded at NARDI Fundulea, in the period September 2021

– August 2022 compared to Long Term Average (LTA).

Regarding precipitation (Fig. 23), in the period considered, only in one month - October 2021, the precipitations were higher than LTA. In the rest of months, the sum of precipitations in the agriculture year 2021 - 2022 were below the long-term average (LTA), the monthly precipitation deficit varying between 2.5–44.5 mm, the year precipitation deficit - 249.1 mm being the biggest in the last 60 years.

Also, the Fundulea climatic scenario 2021 – 2022 was similar for all DEMO centres, but ECOFRUCT and ECOVIAL Ștefan cel Mare and AGROTERRA Agigea solved these climate problems by irrigation.





75





80

74,9 71,1

70

62,5 59,6

60

56,4

48,5

47,6

49,7

50

45,1

42,3

42

43,7

37,6

37,4

40

33,8

35,1

32

30,1

29,2

2021 - 2022

30

LTA

20

12,3

14,4

10

4

4,8

5,4

0



Fig. 23. The amount of monthly precipitation from September 2021 – August 2022 and the multi-year.

3.4.1. Material and methods

Romanian (Ovidiu F and Fabiana F) and USD (STK 01, STK 02 and STK 03). Also, in all Soybean DEMOs we tested and 3 soybean varieties mixtures: NS Mercury + Fabiana F,

Favorit + Ovidiu F and STK 01 + Ovidiu F (Table 48).

Table 48. The name and MG of soybean varieties cultivated in 4 Romanian FPTs.

Variety name

Maturity

NARDI

ECOFRUCT*

ECOVIAL*

AGROTERRA*

Group

Fundulea

Stefan cel

Ștefan cel

Agigea

(MG)

Mare

Mare

NS Mercury

I

x

x

-

x

Fabiana F

I

x

x

x

x

NS Mercury +

?

x

x

x

x

Fabiana F

Favorit

00

x

x

-

x

Ovidiu F

0

x

x

x

x

Favorit + Ovidiu F

?

x

x

x

x

STK 02

I.1

x

x

x

x

STK 01 + Ovidiu F

?

x

x

x

x

STK 03

I.3

x

x

-

x

STK 01

0.6

x

x

-

x

*irrigated





76





The soybean varieties were sown on different dates: 27 April 2022 at NARDI Fundulea, 6

May 2022 at AGROTERRA Agigea, 9 May 2022 at ECOFRUCT and 19 July 2022 at ECOVIAL

Ștefan cel Mare. Also, each variety were placed in 3 rows strips at the distance between rows of about 50 cm at NARDI Fundulea and ECOFRUCT and ECOVIAL Ștefan cel Mare and

at 70 cm at AGROTERRA and sowed along the entire length of the plot and with different types of seed dril s: HEGE for experimental plots at NARDI Fundulea, MATERMACC at ECOFRUCT and ECOVIAL Ștefan cel Mare and SFOGGIA at AGROTERRA Agigea.



Fig. 24. Sowing soybean at FTPs ”NARDI Fundulea” and ”ECOFRUCT Ştefan cel Mare.

According to organic journals 2021 - 2022, each soybean Demo have specific agricultural technology:

‒ NARDI Fundulea DEMO technology consisted of: chopping crop residue after previous crop (maize), especially weeds; land scarification with Knocke; fertilising with BIO-FER NATURE (375 kg/ha); discing 2 times and ploughing in autumn 2021

and seed-bed preparing by working of the land with Angeloni POKER 300 complex

combination cultivator and other combination (2 times); inoculastion of seeds with POLIRIZ S - a mixture of 6 Bradirhizobium strains; sown on 27 April 2022; weeding - mechanically (1 time) and by hand (2 times) and harvesting mechanically in September 2022;

‒ ECOFRUCT technology consisted of: soil til with Tiger equipment; fertilisation with fermentated chicken manure (12 t/ha); seed-bed preparing with combination

cultivator and sown with canola in autum 2021 but because rape establishment

was compromised, soybean seedbed prepariion took place with a combination

cultivator; inoculation of soybeen seeds with POLIRIZ S, a mixture of 6

Bradirhizobium strains and sowing on 9 May 2022; manually weeding (1 time); irrigation (4 times x 30 l/m2), as well as mechanically harvesting in September 2022; 77





‒ ECOVIAL technology was specific of the second crop: seedbed preparing with the

combination cultivator and sowing on 19 July 2022;

‒ AGROTERRA Agigea technology was specific for the organic soybean with

conventional land cultivated previously with convențional maize full infested with

Xanthium strumarium: seed-bed preparation with a combination cultivator; inoculation of soybean seeds with POLIRIZ S, a mixture of 6 Bradirhizobium strains

and sowing on 5 May 2022; hand weeded (1 time), irrigation (3 times x 40 l/m2), as

well as harvesting mechanical y in September 2022.



Fig. 25. Mechanical weeding of soybean at FPT ”NARDI Fundulea”/26 May 2022.

During soybean seedling and growing seasons, all observations and measurements were

made that are provided in FPT assessments 2022 of WP 6.2: monitoring Agriotes sp. with pheromone traps (Figure 25), estimation of the degree of weed infestation (%) and Pigeon attack at NARDI Fundulea, as well as Number of nodes sites per plant, Number of plants/m2, Yield (dt/ha) and TGW (g) at harvest for all FPTs.

Fig. 26. Pheromone traps for Agrotes sp. at soybean FPT ”NARDI Fundulea 2022.



78





3.4.2. Results

In this part it is presented and discussed the most important parameters for soybean growing in organic system in 2022, chronologically:

Dynamics of the infestation of Agriotes sp. in soybean at NARDI Fundulea 2022: This information is from ECOBREED soybean T4.1 and T4.2 which are in the same land with

FPT Fundulea, but separated by a windbreak, and it is presented in bulletin because we observed many dry plants early for each variety because of the Agriotes sp. In this study Agriotes obscurus and Agriotes ustulatus monitoring started when we got traps on 20 June 2022 which was at least one, maybe two months late of when flying Agriotes sp. started and it stopped at the beginning of August. In ECOBREED Fundulea the Agriotes obscurus seems to be dominant and more abundant than Agriotes ustulatus, mainly in the first period of monitoring.

Table 49. Monitoring of Agriotes sp. at NARDI Fundulea FPT 2022.

Date

Agriotes

Agriotes

Date

Agriotes

Agriotes

obscurus

ustulatus

obscurus

ustulatus

20.06.2022

381

99

15.07.2022

4

19

24.06.2022

609

72

19.07.2022

12

45

27.06.2022

526

97

22.07.2022

31

23

30.06.2022

79

67

26.07.2022

4

17

04.07.2022

112

198

29.07.2022

12

12

07.07.2022

52

8

03.08.2022

1

7

12.07.2022

18

36





Weed infestation in Romanian soybean FPTs in 2022: The crops infestation with weeds is another specific and serious problem in organic farming, weeds being the main competitor for soil water and nutrients, especially for soybean. In our FPTs, the weeds infestation of soybean in 2022 was specific for each FPT: at NARDI Fundulea with Echinochloa cruss–galli (ECHCG), Setaria viridis (SETVI) and Ambrosia sp. (AMBEL), at ECOFRUCT Ștefan cel Mare with Chenopodium album (CHEAL), Amaranthus retroflexus (AMRE) and Datura stramonium (DATST) and at ECOVIAL Ștefan cel Mare with Raphanus raphanistrum (RAPRA), Amaranthus retroflexus (AMARE) and Chenopodium album (CHEAL), and at AGROTERRA Agigea with Sorghum halepense (SORHA), Setaria viridis (SETVI) and Xanthium strumarium (XANTST). In these FPTs, we studied only the weeds within the soybean rows because these cannot be control ed by mechanical weeding (Fig. 27), with the STK 02 soybean variety at FPT Fundulea infested with weeds on row because of lowest density of seeds at sowing.





79





Table 50. The spectrum of weeds on the row in 4 soy Romanian FPTs in 2022.

NARDI Fundulea

ECOFRUCT

ECOVIAL

AGROTERRA

(STK 02)

Ștefan cel Mare

Ștefan cel Mare

Agigea

Weeds

%

Weeds

%

Weed

%

Weed

%

Echinochloa

73,00 Chenopodium

48,00 Raphanus

35,00 Sorghum

60,00

crus-galli

album

raphanistrum

halepense

Setaria

23,00 Amaranthus

47,00 Amaranthus

33,00 Setaria

38,00

viridis

retroflexus

retroflexus

viridis

Ambrosia sp.

4,00

Datura

5,00

Chenopodium

32,00 Xanthium

2,00

stramonium

album

strumarium



Fig. 27. Soybean at FPT ”NARDI Fundulea” – STK 02/ 4 July 2022.



Harvested soybean plant number in Romanian FPTs: The harvested soybean plant number in all Romanian FPTs in 2022 was less than the number of seeds sown i.e. 38.7 %

at NARDI Fundulea, 44.2 % at ECOFRUCT Ștefan cel Mare and 40.9 % at AGROTERRA Agigea mostly due to a series of negative factors observed - e.g. attacks of wild pigeons at Fundulea, domestic pigeons at ECOFRUCT Ștefan cel Mare and of European hares at Agroterra Agigea.





80





Table 51. Number of sobeany seeds sown and of harvested plants in Romanian FPTs.

Soybean variety

Agroecological

ECOFRUCT*

AGROTERRA*

Reseach, Innovation

Ștefan cel Mare

Agigea

and Technical

Assistance Center of

NARDI Fundulea

Sown

Harvested

Sown

Harvested

Sown

Harvested

seeds

plants (m2)

seeds

plants (m2)

seeds

plants (m2)

(m2)

(m2)

(m2)

Mercury

56

28

56

31

41

28

Fabiana F

60

37

60

33

44

38

Mercury + Fabiana F

59

40

59

32

43

34

Favorit

45

28

45

25

33

20

Ovidiu F

54

28

54

20

39

18

Favorit + Ovidiu F

51

31

51

28

37

14

STK 02

41

32

41

26

30

8

STK 01 + Ovidiu F

44

22

44

27

32

12

STK 03

31

27

31

21

23

14

STK 01

27

14

27

18

20

16

Average

47

27

47

26

34

20

Effect of soybean inoculation in Romanian FPTs: According to Table 52, except for ECOFRUCT Ștefan cel Mare where the effect of inoculation was zero, in others FPTs, the inoculation was more (e.g. Fundulea FPT) or less (e.g. AGROTERRA Agigea) efficient, and the causes of these negative phenomena must searched in fertilisation system in the case of ECOFRUCT and in previous conventional technologies at AGROTERRA. Also, the number of node sites per plant seems to be specific for each variety.

Table 52: Number of node sites per plant at harvesting for soybean varieties in 3 Romanian FPTs.

Soybean variety

NARDI Fundulea

ECOFRUCT*

AGROTERRA* Agigea

Ștefan cel Mare

Mercury

67

0

18

Fabiana F

73

0

17

Mercury + Fabiana F

68

0

27

Favorit

112

0

26

Ovidiu F

70

0

14

Favorit + Ovidiu F

78

0

15

STK 02

64

0

17

STK 01 + Ovidiu F

52

0

12

STK 03

40

0

11

STK 01

26

0

16

Average

65

0

17





81





Soybean grain yield and TGW in 4 Romanian FPTs: In 2022, the soybean grain yield and thousand grain weight (TGW) are according to natural characteristics of DEMO sites, soybean varieties traits and DEMO technologies. So, the highest yields (2118 - 3654 kg/ha) and TGW (142.5 – 180.7 g) was recorded at ECOFRUCT Stefan cel Mare, under irrigation conditions and long standing organic farming practices, and the lowest yield and TGW, at NARDI Fundulea 455-792 kg/ha, and 71.6 – 105.5 g respectively at NARDI Fundulea, under non-irrigation conditions. Also, the yields and TGW at AGROTERRA Agigea would have been like ECOFRUCT, for the variety Mercury, if the soybean vegetation would not have been affected by conventional technology, except irrigation, and from an incredible attack of European hares.

These parameters were certainly influenced by the low sowing density of soybean plants, due, firstly to due to the small seeds quantity which increased distance between seeds at

>5 cm and, mainly from the loss of many plants by mechanical weeding especially with rotary hoe at ECOFRUCT, the strong attack of pigeons during the germination phase at NARDI Fundulea, and of soybean sowing on conventional land at AGROTERRA Agigea, as

well as the ECOVIAL decision to abolish soybeans second crop area (23 ha) because of weak and uneven emergence of soybeans plants and of the infestation with a large number of broadleaf weeds (AMARE, CHEAL, RAPRA).

Table 53. Grain yield (t/ha) and TGW (g) from 4 FPT sites presented at 11% moisture content.

Soybean variety Maturity

Agroecological

ECOFRUCT*

AGROTERRA*

ECOVIAL*

Group

Reseach,

Ștefan cel

Agigea

Ștefan cel

(MG)

Innovation and

Mare

Mare

Technical

Assistance

Center Fundulea

Yield

TGW

Yield

TGW

Yield

TGW

Yield

TGW

(dt/ha)

(g)

(dt/ha)

(g)

(dt/ha)

(g)

(dt/ha)

(g)

Mercury

I

7.52

105.5

32.48

168.6

23.61

150.7

-



Fabiana F

I

4.85

90.8

30.66

144.5 1.07xxx

136.2

0.00xx

0.00

Mercury +

?

4.55

91.4

28.63

144.8 0.00xxx



0.00xx

0.00

Fabiana F

Favorit

00

7.92

98.7

21.18

145.8 0.00xxx



-

-

Ovidiu F

0

6.97

97.0

33.67

170.6 1.48xxx

169.0

0.00xx

0.00

Favorit + Ovidiu

?

6.55

96.8

28.57

142.5 0.00xxx



0.00xx

0.00

F

STK 02

I.1

0

71.6

34.9

143.1 0.00xxx



0.00xx

0.00

STK 01 + Ovidiu F

?

5.98

95.3

36.54

147.2 0.00xxx



0.00xx

0.00

STK 03

I.3

6.23

93.1

30.45

180.7 0.00xxx





STK 01

0.6

7.07

96.4

31.8

179.1 0.00xxx





Average

5.76





x - irrigated; xx – infestation with AMRE, CHEAL and RAPRA; xxx - European hare attack 82





3.4.3. Conclusions

1. Agriculture year 2021 – 2022 was the second warmest and alone the driest of the last 60 years for Romania.

2. The agriculture technologies, except for soybean varieties, are specific for each FPT, depending on equipment available, soil characteristics and experience in organic farming.

3. The soybean tested varieties belong to three genetic groups - Serbian (Favorit and NS

Mercury), Romanian (Ovidiu F and Fabiana F) and USD (STK 01, STK 02 and STK 03).

Also, in all FPT the effect of 3 soybean variety mixtures: Mercury + Fabiana F; Favorit

+ Ovidiu F and STK 01 + Ovidiu F was studied.

4. Soybean inoculation with mixture of Bradyrhizobium strains is very efficient, but high levels of mineral or organic fertilisation reduced this efficiency.

5. The sowing density must be about 40 % higher than in conventional agriculture for avoiding infestation with weeds within the rows and to cover plant losses during and after emergence.

6. The weeds are the main competitor of soybean for water.

7. The dominant weeds in Romanian FPTswere: ECHCG, SETVI and AMBEL at NARDI Fundulea, CHEAL, AMARE and DATST at ECOFRUCT and RAPRA, AMARE and CHEAL in

soy as second crop at ECOVIAL Ștefan cel Mare, as wel as SORHA, SETVI and XANTST

at AGROTERRA Agigea.

8. In Romanian FPTs, soybean has many other enemies from sowing to harvesting – wild and domestic pigeons, European hare, Agriotes sp., Tetranychus urticae, Etiella zinckenel a, Septoria glycinea etc.

9. The soybean yield and TGw was related to the genetic potential of the variety and soil water supply during vegetation period.

10. The mixture of soybean varieties seems to be efficient only for mixtures with good affinity between varieties (e.g. STK 01 + Ovidiu F).





83





4. Potato

4.1. Potato farmer participatory trials in Slovenia

4.1.1. Methods: Locations and conditions of trials

In 2022 the farmer participatory trials program within the ECOBREED project started on four organic farms located in continental part of Slovenia in two different regions (Štajerska and Dolenjska). Altitude of these farms (experimental locations) is between 262

m and 520 m (cf. Fig. 28).

Name place

Farm

Type of

Pedo-climatic

Farm

Farm

Organic

Elevation landscape

zones/regions

size

type

since

(ha)

(years)

335

Val ey Continental temperate

12

Mixed

+20

Grosuplje

climate

262

Plain Continental temperate

5,5



+5

Šentjernej

climate

Mixed

441

Val ey / Continental temperate

24

Mixed

+12

Videm

“plateau”

climate

Dobrepolje

520

On the Continental temperate

8,3

Mixed

+20

Ponikva

hil s

climate



Fig. 28: Locations of potato trials and main characteristics.





84





Conditions of trial: The selection of 13 varieties was done partly by researchers, farmers and consultants. The objective was to obtain a panel of varieties with different properties according to yielding capacity, earliness, resistance to late blight and PVY, market utilisation, skin and flesh colour and other characteristics (cf. Table 54).

Table 54: Varieties of potatoes and properties.

Variety

Earliness

Resistance to late blight

ALOUETTE

intermediate

yes

BOTOND

early

no

CAROLUS

intermediate

yes

DELILA

late

yes

KELLY

late

yes

KIS KOKRA intermediate

yes

LEVANTE

intermediate

yes

MAGNOLIA

early

no

OTOLIA

intermediate

yes

SALOME

early

no

TINCA

intermediate

yes

TWINNER

early

yes

TWISTER

early

yes

A panel of criteria was established by researcher and farmers/consultants to compare varieties in different locations with different farm management: planting date, planting density, date of emergence (BBCH 009), date of canopy closure (BBCH39), date of senescence (BBCH 91), plant height, late blight and early blight severity of symptoms, severity of black scurf (Rhisoctonia) symptoms, colorado potato beetle damage, yield, tuber size, dry matter, cooking type, taste, discoloration of flesh after cooking, tuber disorders, regularity of tuber shape, depth of eyes etc.

Planting density varied between 4.7 and 5.7 plant per m². The planting period was done between 24 March and 18 April with a semi-automatic planter.

The fertilisation, weed management and pest management were made by farmer according to organic farming standards/practices.

The year 2022 was very difficult for potato growers across Slovenia. It was very dry in the central and northern part, but in Dolenjska and Štajerska region fields got some more rain with dry periods between. At Šentjernej and Videm Dobrepolje there were also one event with hail.



85





4.1.2. Results

Yield and state of crop

The conditions of 2022 were favourable for health status of potato plants and yield. There was no late blight infection noticed in al 4 locations. Plots were also not damaged by pests. Early blight was observed at 4 farms on the variety OTOLIA, 2 on LEVANTE and one on the variety TWINNER.

Colorado beetle was present in all locations, but only in Ponikva caused some damage.

The farms were spraying (1 or 2 times) with organic insecticide LASER PLUS and they managed to hand pick/remove Colorado potato beetle larvae.

Weed was present but not noticed as a major problem by farmers.

The ranges of plant height according to varieties were not the same between locations.

The plant height was between 30 cm and 80 cm. Variety LEVANTE in Ponikva was by far

the tal est. It was one time taller than in Videm Dobrepolje. DELILA and TWINNER had the lowest plant height on average across three locations (cf. Fig. 29).

90,0

80,0

70,0

60,0

50,0

Videm Dobrepolje

40,0

Ponikva

30,0

Šentjernej

20,0

10,0

0,0



Fig. 29: Plant Height (cm) for potato varieties at 3 locations in Slovenia.

The biggest average yield was achieved in Videm Dobrepolje, followed by Šentjernej, Grosuplje and Ponikva. Varieties yields are presented in the table for each place. Yields, which were 30 % above average of all varieties per location, were marked in green. Yields, which were 30 % below average, were marked in red. LEVANTE yield was always above

yield on 4 locations between (38 and 76 %). KIS KOKRA, MAGNOLIA, LEVANTE and TWISTER



86





had yield above 40 t/ha. DELILA yields were by far the lowest in Ponikva nd Šentjernej (cf.

Table 55).

Table 55: Comparison of variety yields (t/ha) for each location.

Harvested yield (t/ha) Videm Dobrepolje Ponikva Grosuplje Šentjernej

ALOUETTE

26.3

19.9

29.2

34.0

BOTOND

35.5

26.7

30.1

36.4

CAROLUS

25.9

17.2

19.8

22.4

DELILA

37.0

9.8

29.6

6.8

KELLY

26.2

11.6

25.5

25.5

KIS KOKRA

27.9

26.7

31.1

40.1

LEVANTE

44.8

22.5

33.5

40.2

MAGNOLIA

46.8

21.1

20.6

38.3

OTOLIA

37.2

19.3

24.0

36.2

SALOME

33.9

17.5

16.3

28.6

TINCA

38.4

20.8

14.2

28.8

TWINNER

28.7

17.8

8.8

24.7

TWISTER

37.3

30.9

15.0

44.8

Average

34.3

20.1

22.9

31.3

The numbers of tubers per plant in 4 locations was between 2.5 and 12. Some varieties had the highest number of tubers in Videm Dobrepolje and Šentjernej, while the others in Grosuplje. Varieties with the highest tuber numbers were LEVANTE, SALOME and TWISTER. DELILA had the lowest number of tubers per plant in Ponikva and Šentjernej (cf.

Fig. 30).

14,0

12,0

10,0

8,0

Videm Dobrepolje

6,0

Ponikva

Grosuplje

4,0

Šentjernej

2,0

0,0



Fig. 30: Number of tubers per plant for each variety in 4 locations.



87





The tuber size was determined (weighed and counted) on square mesh of sizes <25 mm, 25-45 mm, 45-65 mm, >65 mm. It ranged from nearly 40 grams to over 160 grams, depending on variety and location. TWISTER had the biggest tubers followed by KIS KOKRA in Ponikva. BOTOND, DELILA and MAGNOLIA were the 3 varieties with the biggest tubers in Videm Dobrepolje (cf. Fig. 31).

180

160

140

120

100

Videm Dobrepolje

80

Ponikva

60

Grosuplje

40

Šentjernej

20

0



Fig. 31: Average tuber size (g) for each variety in 4 locations.

The dry matter determines the quality of potato and values over 19 - 20% gives the potato its distinct taste and aroma. It depends on genotype, growing conditions, agritechnics and length of growing season. In general, dry matter content of all varieties at all four organic locations was higher than long-term values for conventional farming. Varieties OTOLIA and MAGNOLIA had the highest percentage of dry matter (on average for 4 locations 26

and 25% respectively), which is way above optimal dry matter for canning (around 20 %).

Despite Twister having the lowest percentage of dry matter (the average for 4 locations was 19%), it stil reached optimal values (Fig. 32).



88





30,0

25,0

20,0

15,0

Videm

Dobrepolje

Ponikva

10,0

Grosuplje

5,0

Šentjernej

0,0



Fig. 32: Dry matter (%) for each variety in 4 locations.

Visual, organoleptic and chemical properties

The visual traits and sensorial analysis were done at the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia.

There was practically no discoloration of flesh 20 minutes after cooking, except for minor discoloration of KIS Kokra and Botond in Grosuplje. Only for some varieties was disintegration noticed with the highest values in Videm Dobrepolje.

6,0

5,0

4,0

Videm Dobrepolje

3,0

Ponikva

2,0

Grosuplje

Šentjernej

1,0

0,0



Fig. 33: Tuber taste for each variety in 4 locations (1 excellent, 2 very good, 3 good, 4 acceptable, 5

worse, 6 unsuitable).



89





Most of the varieties in all 4 locations had at least good taste, which is very good result in such weather conditions (Fig. 33). BOTOND, TWINNER and TWISTER had only acceptable

taste in more than one location. There were also very little other tastes, one very strong was in Ponikva for Delila variety.

The general impression was noticed on 10 points scales from 1 excel ent, 2 very good, 3

good, 4 acceptable, 5 worse, 6 to 10 unsuitable. Most of the varieties had the score ˝3˝

for the 4 locations. KELLY obtained the score of ˝2˝ at 2 locations. The worst general impression (5) had DELILA in Videm Dobrepolje. BOTOND, TWINNER and TWISTER scored

4 on 3 locations (cf. Fig. 34).

6,0

5,0

4,0

Videm

3,0

Dobrepolje

Ponikva

2,0

Grosuplje

1,0

0,0



Fig. 34: General impression for each variety in 4 locations (1 excel ent, 10 unsuitable).

The cooking types were also evaluated using four grade scale (A firm flesh - salads, B multi-purpose uses, C mealy, D floury) (Table 56). They can be also intermediate types of AB, BC

etc. Among consumers salad type A is preferable since potato doesn’t disintegrate. Type B is the most usable multi-purpose, while BC is more mealy, more suitable for baking and frying. C is very mealy, and suitable for bread etc. Cooking types of BC and C or D correlate with higher dry matter content. Due to rather high dry matter, only MAGNOLIA scored A in Videm Dobrepolje. Some varieties were very stable regarding cooking type B (BOTOND, CAROLUS, DELILA, TWISTER and TWINNER), while some other varieties ranged from A to

BC (MAGNOLIA), depending on location and growing conditions.





90





Table 56: Cooking type for each variety samples at 4 locations.

Cooking type Videm Dobrepolje Ponikva Grosuplje Šentjernej ALOUETTE

BC

B

AB

B

BOTOND

B

B

B

B

CAROLUS

B

B

B

B

DELILA

B

B

B

B

KELLY

B

B

AB

B

KIS KOKRA

BC

B

B

BC

LEVANTE

B

B

B

BC

MAGNOLIA

A

BC

B

BC

OTOLIA

BC

BC

AB

BC

SALOME

B

AB

B

B

TINCA

B

AB

B

AB

TWINNER

B

B

B

B

TWISTER

B

B

B

B



4.2. Potato farmer participatory trials and breeding in Poland

In 2022 eleven cultivars (Alouette, Carolus, Otolia, Twister, Twinner, Levante, Kokra, Tinca, Bzura, Gardena, Sarpo Mira) were planted in the field trial located in Central (Jadwisin and Grabów) and Southeastern part of Poland (Tuligłowy and Połomia) (Figure 35). Each cultivar was planted in 10 hil plots and with 3 replicates.



Figure 35: Location map of the four farms in Poland.



91





Fig 36: Experimental field in Grabów (PL 2022).



Fig. 37: Harvested in Grabów (PL 2002).



Fig. 38: Experimental field in Jadwisin (PL 2022).





92





4.2.1. Results

Systematical y potato cultivars are evaluated for a set of phenotypic traits during the growing season and after harvest. After harvest the fol owing traits were evaluated: total yield (kg/bush), tuber shape, depth of eyes, regularity of tuber shape, tuber size, % starch, discoloration of cooked tubers 10 min and 24h after cooking, discoloration of potato flesh in raw state after4 h after cutting and utilisation types. In Fig. 39 is presented total yield (kg/bush) obtained from each cultivar in four localisations. Mean value ranges from 0.5

kg/bush for cvs Twinner and Tinca to 0.9 kg/bush for cvs Alouette, Levante, Otolia, and Sarpo Mira. Out of 11 cultivars evaluated in 2022 eight obtained the highest yield in Tuligłowy (Fig. 39). Looking at farm average the highest yield per bush in 2022 was recorded in Tuligłowy (1.1 kg/bush). The lowest was recorded in Jadwisin (0.6 kg/bush) (Fig. 40).

2,0

1,8

1,6

h 1,4

s

bu 1,2

g/ kd 1,0

iely 0,8

0,6

0,4

0,2

in w

Farm

wy ia in w

ia in w

ia in w

ia in w

ia in w

ia in w

ia in w

ia in w

ia in w

ia in w

ia

m

wy m

wy m

wy m

wy m

wy m

wy m

wy m

wy m

wy m

wy m

wis

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

abó

ło wis abó

ło wis abó

ło wis abó

ło wis abó

ło wis abó

ło wis abó

ło wis abó

ło wis abó

ło wis abó

ło wis abó

ło

Jad Gr

Po

Gr

Po

Gr

Po

Gr

Po

Gr

Po

Gr

Po

Gr

Po

Gr

Po

Gr

Po

Gr

Po

Gr

Po

Tuligł

Jad

Tuligł

Jad

Tuligł

Jad

Tuligł

Jad

Tuligł

Jad

Tuligł

Jad

Tuligł

Jad

Tuligł

Jad

Tuligł

Jad

Tuligł

Jad

Tuligł

s

te

er

lia

a

ra

an

ira

ca

Cultivar

ette

lu

ter

kr

u

ro

to

zu

O

Ko

B

de

M

Tin

o

Alo

Ca

Levan

Twinn

Twis

Gar

p

Sar



Fig. 39: Total yield (kg/bush) for 11 cultivars in four farms (PL 2022).



2,2

2,0



1,8



1,6

1,4



shub 1,2

/

kg



dl 1,0

eyi

0,8



0,6



0,4

0,2



0,0

Mean

Jadwisin

Grabów

Tuligłowy

Połomia

Mean ± s tandard error



Mean ± 2* s tandard dev iation

Farm

outliers

Fig. 40: Mean values for total yield (kg/bush) in four farms (PL 2022).



93





Fig. 41: Description of organic experiment in Połomia (PL 2022).



Fig. 42: Description of organic experiment in Tuligłowy (PL 2022).



All potatoes cultivars were placed in store, weighed and graded into 3 categories: >65 mm, 65-45 mm, and <45 mm. In Fig. 40 are shown medians and ranges (min-max) for total tuber yield (kg/bush) in individual 3 categories. For al cultivars in all farms was observed the highest percentage of big size tubers (> 65 mm) (Fig. 43).





94





100

100

100

80

80

80

)

)

)

%

(%

(



(%



m

m

60

m

60

m

60

m



m



5

5

56

4

6

-5

<

>

4

ll

ig

m

a

b

ui

m

e

d

s

e



iz

e

m

zi

r s

40

e

s

40

e

z

40

i

r

b

s

e

tu

re

b

b

ut

ut

20

20

20

0

0

0

Median

Jadwisin

Grabów

Tuligłowy

Połomia

Median

Jadwisin

Grabów

Tuligłowy

Połomia

Median

Jadwisin

Grabów

Tuligłowy

Połomia

25% -75%

25% -75%

25%-75%

Min-Max

Farm

Farm

Min-Max

Farm

Min-Max



Fig. 43: Tuber size in three categories for 11 cultivars harvested in four farms (PL 2022).

In Fig. 44 are presented morphological traits of potato tubers (eyes and regularity of tuber shape) for 11 cultivars evaluated in 4 experiments. Values for eyes and regularity for tuber shape ranged from 4.0 to 8.0. The greatest variability was observed for Bzura and Sarpo Mira (Fig. 44).



9

8

)t 7

seb eht 6 = 9 ere5hw( 9- 41 elacs3

eyes (scale 1-9)

2

regularity of tuber shape (scale 1-9)

1

Alouette

Levante

Twister

Kokra

Gardena

Tinca

Carolus

Twinner

Otolia

Bzura

Sarpo Mira



Fig. 44. Eyes and regularity of tuber shape for 11 cultivars in four farms (PL 2022). On the figure is present mean values for each cultivar from four farms and values of minimum and maximum.

In 2022 cooking quality (discoloration of tuber flesh, taste and cooking types) for 11

cultivars were assessed. Mean values for cooking quality for al cultivars in four experiments are presented in Tables 57-59. In Figs. 45 and 48 some examples of texture and darkening of raw tubers are presented. All tested cultivars were characterised by good taste and non-darkening of flesh tubers, regardless of the farm. You can see that tuber cultivars from Połomia darkened less then tubers from other farms (Table 57). This was observed on raw and cooked tubers (Table 57 and 58).





95





Table 57: Discoloration of cooked tubers 10 min and 24h after cooking for 11 cultivars in four farms (PL 2022).

Cultivar

Discoloration of cooked tubers 10 min. and 24 h after cooking (scale 1-9)

Połomia

Grabów

Jadwisin

Tuligłowy

10 min.

24h

10 min.

24h

10 min.

24h

10 min.

24h

Alouette

9.0

8.5

8.0

7.5

8.0

7.8

8.5

7.7

Carolus

8.5

8.2

7.5

7.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

7.7

Levante

9.0

8.7

8.0

7.5

8.5

8.2

9.0

8.5

Twinner

8.5

8.2

7.5

7.5

8.0

8.0

8.0

7.4

Twister

8.0

7.5

7.0

5.9

8.5

8.2

8.0

8.0

Otolia

9.0

8.2

7.5

6.7

8.5

7.9

8.0

7.4

Kokra

7.0

6.7

7.0

6.3

7.0

6.7

7.0

6.0

Bzura

7.5

7.4

7.0

6.1

7.5

7.5

7.5

6.6

Gardena

8.0

7.6

8.0

7.4

8.0

8.0

7.5

7.3

Sarpo Mira

7.5

7.5

7.0

5.5

6.5

6.3

7.0

6.0

Tinca

8.0

7.9

7.5

7.8

8.0

7.5

8.2

7.1





Fig. 45: Discoloration of cooked tubers 10 minutes (left) and 24 hours (right) after cooking (PL 2022).





96





Table 58: Discoloration of potato flesh in raw state 4h after cutting for 11 cultivars in four farms (PL

2022).

Cultivar

Discoloration of potato flesh in raw state 4 h after cutting (scale 1-9)

Połomia

Grabów

Jadwisin

Tuligłowy

Mean

Alouette

9.0

7.0

7.0

9.0

8.0

Carolus

9.0

6.6

7.6

8.4

7.9

Levante

8.0

6.5

7.0

8.0

7.4

Twinner

8.5

6.5

7.2

7.7

7.5

Twister

8.0

6.5

7.4

7.5

7.4

Otolia

7.8

6.0

7.6

7.6

7.3

Kokra

8.0

6.5

6.4

7.5

7.1

Bzura

7.6

7.0

6.6

6.9

7.0

Gardena

8.5

7.6

7.4

7.8

7.8

Sarpo Mira

7.5

7.0

6.0

7.3

7.0

Tinca

7.4

6.5

7.0

7.4

7.1

Mean

8.1

6.7

7.0

7.7

7.4

Some cultivars were very stable regarding cooking type (BC) Alouette, Kokra, Gardena and Sarpo Mira while some other cultivars ranged from B, C, BC and CD depending on the

growing farms (Table 59).

Table 59: Cooking types for 11 cultivars in four farms (PL 2022).

Cultivar

Cooking types

Połomia

Grabów

Jadwisin

Tuligłowy

Alouette

BC

BC

BC

BC

Carolus

BC

AB

AB

B

Levante

BC

BC

AB

BC

Twinner

AB

B

AB/C

BC

Twister

BC

C

B

BC

Otolia

BC

BC

AB

BC

Kokra

BC

BC

BC

BC

Bzura

CD

BC

CD

CD

Gardena

BC

BC

BC

BC

Sarpo Mira

BC

BC

BC

BC

Tinca

BC

B

B

BC

In Fig. 46 are presented taste for 11 cultivars cultivated in 4 localisations. The taste was dependent on the place of cultivation. The best taste was from cultivars cultivated in Tuligłowy and Połomia (Fig. 47). In all locations the tastiest cultivar was Gardena and Tinca.

For these cultivars in all locations taste was very similar. The environment did not modify their taste.





97





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adw Grabów

adw Grabów

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adw Grabów

adw Grabów

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J

uligłow Połom

uligłow Połom

uligłow Połom

uligłow Połom

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inner

is

M

inc

arolus

w

w

Ot

Kok

Bz

T

Alouet

C

Lev

T

T

Gardena

Sarpo



Fig. 46: Taste for 11 cultivars in four farms (PL 2022).



9

9

8

Fig.

8

)

7

47:

7

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t

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Mean

S 3

Mean ± standard error

Mean ± 2* standard deviation

2

Outliers

2

Ekstreme

1

Jadwisin

Grabów

Tuligłowy

Połomia

1Alouette

Levante

T wister

Kokra

Gardena

T inca

Farm

Carolus

T winner

Otolia

Bzura

Sarpo Mira

Median

Taste for 11 cultivars in 4 farms (PL 2022).

25%-75%

Cultivar

Min - Max



Fig. 48: Discoloration of potato flesh in raw state after 4 h after cutting in Połomia and Tuligłowy (PL

2022).



98





In Fig. 49 are shown starch content (%) for 11 cultivars cultivated in 4 farms. The highest content of starch was noted for cvs. Bzura (21.5%) and Sarpo Mira (16.9%). The starch content was dependent on the place of cultivation. This can be seen in Fig. 50.

24

22

20

18

16

%)( hrctas 14

12

10

Mean

8

Mean ± Standard error

Mean ± 2* standard deviation

6

Alouette

Levante

Twister

Kokra

Gardena

Tinca

Carolus

Twinner

Otolia

Bzura

Sarpo Mira

Cultivar



Fig. 49: Starch content (%) for 11 cultivars (PL 2022).

24

22

20

18

16

14

)% (hc 12

r

sta

10

8

6

4

2

0

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v

T

l

a

e

w

w

O

K

B

ra

o

A

C

L

T

T

p

G

raS



Fig. 50: Starch content (%) for 11 cultivars evaluated in 4 farms (PL 2022).





99





4.2.2. TASK 6.3 Participatory Plant Breeding in 2022

In 2022, 15 breeding lines resistant to P. infestans were planted in 3 locations (Tuligłowy, Połomia and Jadwisin). During the vegetation period breeding lines were systematical y evaluated for a set of phenotypic traits, which were specified in the report. In September the materials were harvested. After harvesting breeding lines were described according to the traits: total yield (kg/bush), tuber shape, depth of eyes, regularity of tuber shape and % starch. In Table 60 is presented total yield (kg/bush) obtained from each breeding line in Tuligłowy, Połomia and Jadwisin (PL 2022). In 2022 the highest mean tuber yield (kg/bush) for breeding lines was noted in Tuligłowy (0.9 kg/bush). In 2022 11 breeding lines were tested for the late blight resistance in laboratory test (detached leaflets test).

Six leaflets (three in two replications) were col ected from each cultivar grown in the field trial and were inoculated with a 30 ml droplet of sporangia/zoospore suspension (50

sporangia/μl). The infection was scored after 6 days of incubation, using 1 – 9 scale, where 9 means the highest resistance. For this breeding lines the level of resistance ranges from 6.4 (21-IX-5) to 8.8 (21-IX-17) (Table 60).

Table 60: Total yield (kg/bush) for 15 breeding lines at three farms (Poland 2022).

Breeding line P. infestans (leaves)

Total yield (kg/bush)

Tuligłowy Połomia Jadwisin

21-IX-2

7.7

0.9

1.3

0.7

21-IX-3

8.0

1.1

1.0

0.7

21-IX-4

7.2

0.9

0.7

0.6

21-IX-5

6.4

1.1

0.5

0.5

21-IX-6

8.2

1.1

1.0

0.9

21-IX-8

7.8

1.0

1.2

0.7

21-IX-9

8.0

0.7

0.6

0.7

21-IX-10

8.5

0.4

0.2

0.3

21-IX-11

8.7

0.6

0.3

0.3

21-IX-12

8.0

1.1

1.1

0.7

21-IX-13

7.1

1.1

1.0

0,7

21-IX-14

7.6

0.6

0.3

0,2

21-IX-15

8.1

0.8

0.8

0,6

21-IX-17

8.8

0.9

0.6

0,7

21-IX-18

7.7

0.7

0.7

0,5

Mean

7.9

0.9

0.8

0.6

All potato breeding lines were placed in store, weighed and graded into 3 categories: >65

mm, 65-45 mm, and <45 mm. In Fig. 51 are shown the medians and ranges (min-max) for total tuber yield (kg/bush) in individual 3 categories. For all breeding lines in al farms the highest percentage of big size tubers (> 65 mm) was observed (Fig. 51).



100





100

100

100

80

80

80

)%





(

)

)



%

%

m

(

(

m

m

m

5

m

60



60

m

6

60

-

5

5

5

4

6





4

<

>





l

m

l

gi

u

a

i

b

d

m

e

e

s

zi

m

e



s

z



40

e

i

40

r

40

z

s

e

i

r

b

s

e

u

r

b

T

e

u

b

T

uT

20

20

20

0

0

0

Tuligłowy

Jadwisin

Połomia

Median

Tuligłowy

Jadwisin

Połomia

Median

Tuligłowy

Jadwisin

Połomia

Median

25%-75%

25%-75%

25%-75%

Farm

Farm

Min-Max

Farm

Min-Max

Min-Max



Fig. 51: Tuber size in three categories for 15 breeding lines harvested in three farms (PL 2022).



4.3. Potato farmer participatory trials in Hungary

4.3.1. Methods: Locations and conditions of trials

In 2022 the farmer participatory trials program within the ECOBREED project was conducted on three organic farms (Rábcakapi, Zalavár, Szakály) which are located in 3

different counties (Vas county, Zala county, Győr-Moson-Sopron county). The altitude of these farms (experimental locations) is between 115 m and 200 m (Fig. 52).



Fig. 52: Locations of potato trials.



101





Conditions of the trial: The selection of 12 varieties was done partly by researchers, farmers and consultants. The objective was to obtain a panel of varieties with different properties according to yielding capacity, earliness, resistance to late blight and PVY, utilisation, skin and flesh colour and other characteristics (Table 61).

Table 61: List of varieties.

Variety

Maturity

Resistance

to late blight

Alouette

intermediate yes

Carolus

intermediate yes

Kis Kokra

intermediate yes

Levante

intermediate yes

Otolia

intermediate yes

Tinca

intermediate yes

Twinner

early

yes

Twister

early

yes

Balatoni Rózsa early

no

Balatoni Sárga intermediate no

Botond

early

no

Basa

intermediate no

A panel of criteria was established by researcher and farmers/consultants to compare varieties at different locations with different farming management: planting date, planting density, date of emergence (BBCH 009), date of canopy closure (BBCH39), date of senescence (BBCH 91), plant height, late blight and early blight severity of symptoms, severity of black scurf (Rhisoctonia) symptoms, Silver scurf and Fusarium symptoms, Colorado potato beetle damage, yield, tuber size, dry matter, starch content, cooking type, taste discoloration of flesh after cooking, tuber disorders, regularity of tuber shape, depth of eyes.

The planting period was done between the 13-18th of April and by hand.

The fertilization, weed management and pest management were made by farmer according to their organic farming standards/protocol.

In Hungary in 2020 and 2021, there was less precipitation than the long-term average. In 2022 this tendency continued with around 45% less precipitation than the long-term average. From the beginning of the summer, a high degree of drought was characteristic, which reached its peak in mid-August. Several times, temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius were also measured.

The arable lands of Zalavár have unfavourable water management, which is a disadvantage from the point of view of agricultural use. The farmer could not solve the problem by watering. Szakály's arable land is predominantly of good quality, the farmer 102





had the opportunity to make up for the lack of rainfal with irrigation. Rábcakapi is a zone of arable land with good local conditions. The area is better due to air humidity and always abundant groundwater reserves, it never suffers from such an intensive drought damage, like Zalavár.

4.3.2. Results

Yield and state of crop

The dry conditions of 2022 were unfavourable for yield, tuber size and quality too.

Colorado potato beetle was present at all locations. It was managed by 1-2 times spraying with organic insecticide LASER PLUS. Weed was present especially during the third decade of vegetation but not noticed as a significant problem by farmers. PVY infection was observed on all plants of susceptible varieties. Different levels of late blight infections were observed on all 12 genotypes. The symptoms of early blight were severe only in 1-2

cases.

In the 3 locations the range of yield was different, but we can see that KIS KOKRA appeared 2 times in the top of yield. Yields of varieties are presented in Table 62 for each location.

Yields, which were 30 % above average of all varieties per location, are marked in green.

Yields, which were 30 % below average, are in brown. ALOUETTE, KIS KOKRA, LEVANTE,

BALATONI RÓZSA, BALATONI SÁRGA, BOTOND, BASA had good yield above or near average in al places. Twinner yields were below the average of al varieties on al 3

locations (able 62).

Table 62: Comparison of yields for each location (t/ha).

Variety

Zalavár

Szakály

Rábcakapi Average

Alouette

11.47

14.21

38.54

21.41

Carolus

13.82

9.59

19.80

14.40

Kis Kokra

37.15

36.90

17.05

30.37

Levante

19.52

11.01

18.51

16.35

Otolia

14.85

22.60

13.32

16.92

Tinca

10.48

12.34

17.00

13.27

Twinner

11.40

18.65

20.07

16.71

Twister

7.57

9.06

13.14

9.92

B.Rózsa

13.00

33.74

30.59

25.78

B.Sárga

16.89

21.81

48.26

28.99

Botond

9.09

22.07

32.28

21.15

Basa

6.59

13.50

40.23

20.11

Average

14.32

18.79

25.73

19.61





103





The ranges of plant height according to varieties were not the same between locations.

The plant height was between 40 cm and 70 cm. Varieties CAROLUS, OTOLIA, and TWINNER were the tal est varieties with average height of about 70 and 65 cm. Tinca had the lowest plant height with an average of about 43 cm (Fig. 53).

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Zalavár

Szakály

Rábcakapi



Fig. 53: Plant Height (cm) for each potato varieties at 3 locations.

Fusarium rot occurs after warm or hot summers. A pathological test was carried out on each potato variety at 3 locations. Tubers were graded on a scale of 1-9 (1-low 9- high).

We found that Fusarium infection was the highest in the case of LEVANTE, TINCA and TWISTER. The varieties BALATONI RÓZSA, BALATONI SÁRGA, BOTOND, BASA had low infestation at al 3 locations. In Rábcakapi, where the most favorable conditions were (top-soil quality, uniform water supply), low tuber infestation was observed for al varieties (Fig.

54).



104





8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

Zalavár

Szakály

Rábcak.



Fig. 54: Fusarium dry rot for potato varieties at 3 locations.



Visual, organoleptic and chemicalproperties

The dry matter affects the quality and cooking type of potato. Its value depends on genotype, growing conditions, agritechnics and length of growing season. Values around 19 - 20% are optimal for general use of potatoes. The variety BALATONI SÁRGA had the highest quantity of dry matter (24% at Rábcakapi) meaning cooking type "C". BALATONI RÓZSA showed the most stabile dry matter content with very low alteration between locations, cooking type "B" (Fig. 55).

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Zalavár

Szakály

Rábcakapi



Fig. 55: Dry matter content of varieties at 3 locations.



105





The visual traits and sensorial analysis were done at the Research Institute of Keszthely.

Discoloration of potato flesh in raw state 4h after cutting was observed. For BALATONI RÓZSAT, BALATONI SÁRGA, BOTOND, BASA varieties there was practically no flesh discoloration 4h after cutting. At ALOUETTE, CAROLUS, OTOLIA, TWINNER, TWISTER

varieties the highest values of disintegration were noticed (Fig. 56).

4

3

2

1

0

Alouette Carolus

Kis

Levante Otolia

Tinca Twinner Twister B. rózsa B. sárga Botond

Basa

Kokra

Zalavár

Szakály

Rábcakapi



Fig. 56: Fresh discoloration of tuber flesh at 4h after cutting.

Most of the varieties in all 3 locations had very good taste, which is very good result in such weather conditions. LEVANTE and OTOLIA had only acceptable taste in Zalavár.

TINCA and TWISTER obtained a score of 2 at least for 1 location.

There was no very strong taste in either variety (Fig. 57).

4

3

2

1

0

Alouette Carolus Kis Kokra Levante Otolia

Tinca

Twinner Twister B. rózsa B. sárga Botond

Basa

Zalavár

Szakály

Rábcakapi



Fig. 57: Taste of cooked tubers at 3 locations (1 very good, 2 good, 3 acceptable, 4 worse).



106





The tuber size distribution of total yield was determined for each location (% of total yield,

<45mm, 45-65mm, >65 mm. Summarising these results we can state that varieties showing higher resistance to virus infection are being more tolerant to severe drought stress of typical for all location and produced larger and medium sized tubers compared to susceptible ones (Fig. 55-57).

100,00

90,00

80,00

70,00

60,00

50,00

40,00

30,00

20,00

10,00

0,00

Zalavár

Szakály

Rábcak.



Fig. 58: Percentage of tubers below 45mm in diameter.

90,00

80,00

70,00

60,00

50,00

40,00

30,00

20,00

10,00

0,00

Zalavár

Szakály

Rábcak.



Fig. 59: Percentage of tubers between 45-65 mm in diameter.





107





Similar to previous results cooking type of the varieties was not affected by the location (Fig. 60)

Table 63: Cooking type of tested varieties at each location.

Cooking type Zalavár Szakály Rábcakapi

Alouette

AB

AB

AB

Carolus

AB

AB

AB

Kis Kokra

B

B

B

Levante

C

C

C

Otolia

C

C

C

Tinca

B

B

B

Twinner

B

B

B

Twister

B

B

B

B. rózsa

B

B

B

B. sárga

B

B

B

Botond

B

B

B

Basa

A

A

A

From the scoring of harvested tubers for the incidence of silver scurf infection it was obvious the where the most severe drought was recorded, at Zalavar location that tubers had the highest level but still not too high infection from this pathogen.

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

Zalavár

Szakály

Rábcakapi



Fig. 60: Silver scurf infection of tubers (1-low, 9-high).





108





5. Buckwheat

5.1. Buckwheat farmer participatory trials in the UK

All four buckwheat FPT trials were drilled in the spring of 2022 at Gilchesters, Thornton Farm, Nafferton Farm and Broadward Hal using the same varieties as in 2021. Three of the farms used were the same as in 2021 but with Thornton Farm near Berwick replacing Spindlestone. The trials were dril ed earlier than in 2021 when drilling had been delayed due to the late arrival of seed. The trials at Nafferton Farm, Gilchesters and Broadward Hal were all dril ed on Thursday, 28 April while the trial at Thornton Farm was dril ed on Friday, 29 April. Plant counts were recorded (0.5m2 quadrat with three replicate counts) at both Nafferton Farm and Gilchesters on 30 May.

All trials were dril ed with the same 7 varieties i.e. Cebelica, La Harpe, Panda, Zoe, Zita, Kora and Billy at a rate of 75 kg/ha which equates to a target seed rate of 300 seeds/m2.

At Thornton Farm a mixture of Kora and Zoe was also dril ed. All crops had established well but later in the season high weed levels were evident at both Thornton Farm and Nafferton Farm. At Gilchesters and Nafferton the buckwheat trials were dril ed after a grass/clover ley while at Thornton Farm it was after winter wheat in the same field that had housed the FPT harvested in 2021.

The Gilchesters site was harvested with a plot combine on 15 September, while the other 3 sites were hand harvested i.e. 1 m2 quadrats on 27 September at Nafferton Farm, 29

September at Thornton Farm and the 12 October at Broadward Hal . Yield component

analysis (quadrat based) at Gilchesters was also taken on 21 September prior to combining.

The FPT trial at Gilchesters looked very good from start to finish (Fig. 61) whereas at Nafferton Farm although the trial established very wel (Fig. 62) competition from weeds became an issue later in the growing season especially for the later maturing variety Billy with its poor early vigour such that col ecting a seed sample at harvest was not possible.

Similarly at Thornton Farm fol owing a very good and even crop establishment and early vegetative growth (Fig. 63) weed competition later in the season became an issue such that at harvest it was not possible to collect seed from the varieties Billy, Panda and Zoe.





109





Fig. 61: Buckwheat FPT at Gilchesters on 29 June 2022.





Fig. 62: Buckwheat FPT at Nafferton Farm on 23 May (left) and 9 July (right) 2022.

At Gilchesters the grain yield was high with the highest yielding variety being Kora (2.92

t/ha) closely followed by La Harpe (2.86 t/ha) and Zoe 2.78 t/ha (Table 64). Billy had the lowest grain yield at 0.72 t/ha and this variety with reduced vegetative growth in its early stages makes it far more susceptible to weed competition. This lateness of the variety Bil y meant that it was harvested at 47% moisture content compared with the other varieties at c. 30%.





110





Fig. 63: Buckwheat FPT at Thornton Farm on 13 May (left) and 4 July (right) 2022.

Table 64: Combine grain yield and moisture content of Buckwheat FPT at Gilchesters Farm in 2022.



Weight (kg)

MC (%)

Yield @ 0%MC

Yield @15% MC

TGW (g)

Billy

13.6

47

0.63

0.72

25.8

Kora

41.3

30

2.54

2.92

24.7

Le Harpe

40.4

30

2.49

2.86

23.9

Zita

30.7

31

1.82

2.09

26.1

Cebelica

33.7

32

2.02

2.32

24.7

Zoe

35.9

29

2.42

2.78

28.3

Panda

33.3

30

2.06

2.37

25.7

Table 65: Yield components (m2) of Buckwheat FPT at Gilchesters in 2022.



Grain

Straw

Total

HI

Lodging

Plant

Flower

TGW

weight

weight

biomass

height

clusters

(g)

(g)

(g)

(g)

(cm)

/cyme

Billy

102.3

180.8

283.1

0.36

1

73.0

7.7

24.5

Kora

201.0

149.3

350.3

0.57

1

77.6

6.3

23.6

La Harpe

249.6

253.7

503.3

0.50

1

100.0

7.0

20.9

Zita

154.4

120.4

274.8

0.56

1

100.2

6.7

25.0

Cebelica

230.7

226.1

456.8

0.51

1

110.2

6.7

22.3

Zoe

175.2

163.8

339.0

0.52

1

88.6

6.3

24.7

Panda

183.5

158.8

342.3

0.54

1

88.6

6.0

25.2

* Lodging based on a 1-9 scale where 1 = no lodging

The highest grain yield from quadrat sampling (Table 65) was for La Harpe (249.6 g/m2) fol owed by Cebelica (230.7 g/m2) with the lowest grain weight in the variety Billy (102.3

g/m2). La Harpe also had the highest total biomass production at harvest (503.3 g/m2) and Zita the lowest (274.8 g/m2). Although Bil y had the lowest grain weight it had a relatively high straw weight which resulted in the lowest Harvest Index of 0.36. Although La Harpe had the highest total grain weight (Table 65) it was Kora that had the highest HI. Although the late maturing Billy had the lowest grain weight and HI it had the highest flower cluster 111





per cyme at 7.7. La Harpe had the lowest TGW (20.9 g) while Panda had the highest (25.2g).

Grain weights at the other sites were much lower than at Gilchesters. The highest grain weight at Nafferton Farm (Table 3) was also from the variety La Harpe (61.8 g/m2) while Panda had the lowest grain weight (4.9 g/m2). Le Harpe had the highest number of flower clusters per cyme (7.0) but had the smallest seeds with a TGW of 11.5 compared with Kora and Zoe at 23.7 and 23.1 g respectively. At Nafferton Farm there was a large difference in height between the varieties at maturity with Zita the tal est (91.2 cm) and Panda the shortest (54.6 cm) and no lodging evident.

Table 66: Grain yield and yield components (m2) of Buckwheat FPT at Nafferton Farm in 2022.



Grain

Straw

Total

HI

Lodging*

Plant

Flower

TGW (g)

weight

weight

biomass

height

clusters

(g)

(g)

(g)

(cm)

/cyme

Billy

-

-

-

-

1

48.2

-

-

Kora

16.8

54.1

70.9

0.24

1

61.0

4.7

23.7

La Harpe

61.8

211.8

273.6

0.23

1

80.6

7.0

11.5

Zita

35.9

102.1

138.1

0.26

1

91.2

6.3

22.0

Cebelica

34.8

131.8

166.6

0.21

1

82.6

5.3

18.3

Zoe

30.6

126.4

157.0

0.19

1

70.0

6.3

23.1

Panda

4.9

25.6

30.5

0.16

1

54.6

5.7

16.0

* Lodging based on a 1-9 scale where 1 = no lodging

At Thornton Farm La Harpe again had the highest grain weight (135.9 g), total biomass (274.0 g) and flower clusters per cyme (7.7) but with the smal est seed i.e. lowest TGW

(20.5 g Table 67). Harvest indices were similar to Gilchesters with Kora having the highest HI at 0.60 and Zita the lowest at 0.40. Similar to Nafferton Farm, Zita was the tallest variety (103.0 cm) followed by Cebelica (89.8 cm).





112





Table 67: Grain yield and yield components (data presented per m2) of Buckwheat FPT at Thornton Farm in 2022.



Grain

Straw

Total

HI

Lodging

Plant

Flower

TGW

weight weight

biomass

height

clusters

(g)

(g)

(g)

(g)

(cm)

/cyme

Billy

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Kora

107.3

72.9

180.2

0.60

1

69.8

6.3

22.4

La Harpe

135.9

138.1

274.0

0.50

1

86.6

7.7

20.5

Zita

67.5

102.1

169.6

0.40

1

103.0

6.3

23.7

Cebelica

46.8

47.6

94.4

0.50

1

89.8

7.0

21.5

Zoe

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Panda

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Kora + Zoe

46.1

40.6

86.7

0.47

1

73.4

6.7

21.7

* Lodging based on a 1-9 scale where 1 = no lodging

Table 68: Grain yield and yield components (data presented per m2) of Buckwheat FPT at Broadward Hall in 2022.



Grain

Straw

Total

HI

Lodging

Plant

Flower

TGW

weight

weight

biomass

height

clusters

(g)

(g)

(g)

(g)

(cm)

/cyme

Billy

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Kora

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

La Harpe

103.1

118.0

221.1

0.47

3

92.0

5.3

19.0

Zita

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Cebelica

157.9

141.9

299.8

0.53

1

99.4

6.7

17.6

Zoe

111.6

127.8

239.4

0.47

7

58.4

5.3

19.6

Panda

117.9

106.1

224.0

0.53

1

94.6

6.3

15.7

* Lodging based on a 1-9 scale where 1 = no lodging

5.1.1. Conclusions

A very high buckwheat grain yield was recorded at Gilchesters in 2022 which is is much higher than the average buckwheat yield in Europe (1.01 t/ha) (FAOSTAT 2019). The Gilchester yield is also much higher than that obtained from previous studies in central Europe which reported yields ranging between 0.78 – 2.2 t/ha (Kalinova and Vrchotova, 2011; Early et al., 2005). A study by Domingos and Bilsborrow (2021) examined the effect of sowing date (mid vs end of April) on the growth, development, yield and nutritional quality of the buckwheat varieties Bamby and Čebelica over 3 growing seasons (2016-18) in north-east England. In this study the grain yield was 0.77 t/ha (average across varieties, sowing date and season) with the highest grain yield recorded was 1.42 t/ha from the variety Bamby in 2017.



113





The trial at Nafferton Farm had a very low HI (range of 0.16-0.26 for the six varieties) which was much lower than the HI recorded at Gilchesters, Thornton Farm and Broadward Hall (mostly around 0.5).

There was consistency in the poor performance of the late maturing variety Billy at all sites in 2022 which confirmed data from the previous season.

Ability to compete with weeds is a key focus of the success of buckwheat in the FPT in the UK over the last two seasons in that after a grass-ley in both seasons at Gilchesters.

Greatest problems arising from competition with weeds occurs when buckwheat follows

an arable crop in the rotation i.e. Spindlestone in 2021 and Thornton Farm in 2022.

5.1.2. References

Domingos IF, Bilsborrow PE (2021) The effect of variety and sowing date on the growth, development, yield and quality of common buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum Moench).

European Journal of Agronomy 126: 126264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2021.126264

Erley GS, Kaul H, Kruse M. Aufhammer W (2005) Yield and nitrogen utilisation efficiency of the pseudocereals amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat under differing nitrogen fertilisation. European Journal of Agronomy 22: 95-100.

FAOSTAT (2019) Total production and yield of buckwheat in 1961–2017. Available at:

http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data. Accessed 5 September 2019.

Kalinova J, Vrchotova N (2011) The influence of organic and conventional crop management, variety and year on the yield and flavonoid level in common buckwheat

groats. Food Chemistry 127: 602-608.





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5.2. Buckwheat farmers participatory field trials in Slovenia

5.2.1. Methods

The buckwheat participatory field trials were conducted as part of the ECOBREED project and were established on four organic farms located in the central and southern areas of Slovenia (Fig. 64). The aim of the trials was to evaluate the performance of different buckwheat varieties under organic farming conditions, and to identify varieties that are well-suited for cultivation in this region. The trials involved active participation from farmers, who provided feedback on the performance of the different varieties and shared their experiences and insights.



Name place

Farm

Type of

Pedo-climatic

Farm

Farm

Organic since

Elevation landscape

zones/regions

size

type

(years)

335



Continental





Grosuplje

Val ey

temperate climate

12

Mixed

+20



262



Continental





Šentjernej



Plain

temperate climate

5,5

Mixed

+5

273



Continental





Prebold



Plain

temperate climate

11

Mixed

+10

520



Continental





Ponikva



On the

temperate climate

8.3

Mixed

+20

hil s

Fig. 64: Locations of buckwheat trials and main characteristics of the locations.



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The buckwheat participatory field trials were conducted under variable weather conditions, including a period of drought that affected the region during the trial period.

Despite this chal enge, the trials were successful in evaluating the performance of eight buckwheat varieties (Kora, Panda, Zita, Zoe, Čebelica, Bil y, Bamby, La Harpe) under organic farming conditions in four different farms located in central and southern Slovenia.

The selection of varieties was based on various criteria, including competitiveness with weeds, duration of growth, seed weight, flower colour, and other characteristics. The farmers had previous experience with buckwheat cultivation, and it was already included in the crop rotation of three of the farms. The trials were sown between 15 and 28 July, using a seed rate of 80 kg/ha and 100 kg/ha. The trials were harvested on 19th September (Ponikva) and 14 October (Grosuplje and Šentjernej), with all varieties at each location being harvested on the same day. The results of the trials provide valuable insights into the performance of different buckwheat varieties under organic farming conditions, including their ability to cope with challenging weather conditions such as drought.

To evaluate the development and agronomic performance of buckwheat varieties, several traits were assessed, including plant height, crop height, lodging, number of days from seeding to flowering and maturity, number of seeds per cyme, 1000-seed weight, chemical analysis (moisture content, crude protein content, rutin content), abiotic stresses, biotic stresses, seed yield, and shattering. In Slovenia, additional traits such as growth and branch shoot habit, plant branching, leaf number, leaf blade length, leaf blade width, compactness of inflorescence, and number of clusters per cyme were also evaluated. Farmers were responsible for managing the crop cultivation and harvesting, as well as scoring the dates of flowering and full maturity, lodging, abiotic stress, biotic stress, and grain yield. The yields were reported in kg/ha at 13% humidity.

The growing period was characterised by hot and dry weather conditions. The trial at Prebold was not harvested as being too damaged by the combination of weather conditions and damage by animals and weeds. The trial at Šentjernej was damaged by

drought affecting the flowering and seed formation.





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5.2.2. Results

Farmers observed that the flowering stage occurred within 26 to 49 days after sowing, while the full maturity stage occurred between 89 to 116 days. However, the strong drought conditions resulted in negligible differences in the date of maturity among the different varieties in all locations.

Plant length and crop height are shown on Figs. 65 and 66, respectively. Looking at the average plant length and height across al locations, we can see that La Harpe was the tallest variety with an average plant height of 73.5 cm and an average plant length of 88.2

cm. The shortest variety was Zita, with an average plant height of 47.3 cm and an average plant length of 52.8 cm. When comparing the plant length and height across the three locations, Ponikva had the tallest plants with an average plant height of 88.2 cm and an average plant length of 73.5 cm, fol owed by Grosuplje with an average plant height of 66.6 cm and an average plant length of 50.0 cm. Šentjernej had the shortest plants with an average plant height of 45.2 cm and an average plant length of 50.0 cm.



Fig. 65: Plant length of buckwheat varieties grown at 3 locations.

Looking at the plant length and height of each variety within each location, we can see that there are some variations. For example, in Grosuplje, La Harpe had the tal est plants with a plant height of 65.5 cm and a plant length of 82.8 cm, while Zita had the shortest plants with a plant height of 49.1 cm and a plant length of 52.8 cm. In Šentjernej, Panda had the tallest plants with a plant height of 46.3 cm and a plant length of 48.8 cm, while 117





Bil y had the shortest plants with a plant height of 41.8 cm and a plant length of 43.8 cm.

In Ponikva, Panda had the tal est plants with a plant height of 84.3 cm and a plant length of 103.3 cm, while Zita had the shortest plants with a plant height of 55.3 cm and a plant length of 67.3 cm. Overall, lodging was insignificant for al varieties.





Fig. 66: Plant height of buckwheat varieties grown at 3 locations.

Table 69 shows the yield of eight different varieties of buckwheat grown in three different locations in Slovenia: Grosuplje, Šentjernej, and Ponikva. The yields are reported in kilograms per hectare (kg/ha). Looking at the average yield across all locations, the highest yielding variety was Bamby with an average yield of 939.625 kg/ha. The second highest was La Harpe with an average yield of 980 kg/ha. The lowest yielding variety was Kora with an average yield of 629.333 kg/ha.





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Table 69: Grain yields of the buckwheat varieties at the locations Grosuplje, Šentjernej and Ponikva.

Yield (kg/ha)

Grosuplje

Šentjernej

Ponikva

Bamby

432

65

680

Billy

1251

269

1166

Čebelica

918

164

1140

Kora

952

173

463

La Harpe

980

157

1387

Panda

822

269

441

Zita

1196

213

620

Zoe

966

257

441

When comparing the yields across the three locations, Ponikva had the highest average yield of 792.3 kg/ha, followed by Grosuplje with an average yield of 939.6 kg/ha, and final y Šentjernej with the lowest average yield of 195.8 kg/ha. Looking at the yields of each variety within each location, we can see that there are some variations. For example, in Grosuplje, Bil y had the highest yield with 1251 kg/ha, while Bamby had the lowest yield with 432 kg/ha. In Šentjernej, Bil y was again the highest yielding variety with 269 kg/ha, while Bamby had the lowest yield with 65 kg/ha. In Ponikva, La Harpe had the highest yield with 1387 kg/ha, while Panda and Zoe had the lowest yield, both with 441 kg/ha.

Overall, the data provides useful information on the yield performance of different buckwheat varieties across multiple locations in Slovenia, which can help farmers and researchers to make informed decisions on variety selection for their specific needs and growing conditions.





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5.3. Buckwheat field trials in the Czech Republic

Four organic farms have participated in farm trials. 12 to 13 different buckwheat varieties were sown in plots with minimum plot size of 300 m2. The sowing density was 200 plants per m2 at each location.



Fig. 67: Farm locations within Czech Republic in 2022.

The list of varieties and their origin.

1. Darja (Slovenia/Denmark)

2. Devyatka (Russian federation)

3. Drushina (Russian federation)

4. Eskalar (Germany)

5. Hajnalka (Hungary)

6. Kora (Poland)

7. Lifago (Germany)

8. Lileja (Slovenia)

9. MHR Korona (Poland)

10. MHR Smuga (Poland)

11. Oberon (Hungary)

12. VB Nojai (Latvia)

13. Zita (Czech Republic)





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The year 2022 was a chal enging year for buckwheat growing. Trial in Velké Hostěrádky had to be prematurely terminated just 60 days after sowing due to extreme drought. Trial in Sasov was harvested, but achenes were mostly empty, indicating that al varieties were not pollinated properly. Trial in Okrouhlice was sown into 33 cm wide strips, which al owed inter-row cultivation. Trial was cultivated by a weed harrow in early June and then was inter-row cultivated in late June. Due to intensive precipitation in July the trial could not be cultivated again. Missing of second inter-row cultivation triggered weed growth, especial y Chenopodium albumen (fat hen). Due to intensive rain and lack of time, the trial was harvested without yield evaluation. Trial in Soběkury was the only trial harvested that year. This can indicate that incorporation of buckwheat into the crop rotation needs to be done with caution.

The goal for 2022 trials was to determine varieties with shorter vegetation period and suitable for grain production, (Table 70). Shorter the vegetation period, the more suitable the variety as a second crop or substitute crop. Longer vegetation period varieties are suitable as a main crop or cover crop.

According to Table 70, varieties can be divided into two groups:

a) Suitable as a main crop - Blue

b) Suitable as a second crop or substation crop – Yellow

Table 70: Days to maturity/vegetation period of different buckwheat varieties at different localities in CZ.

Varieties

Locations

Velké

Sasov

Soběkury

Okrouhlice

Hostěrádky

Darja

n/a

Permanent flowering,

Permanent flowering,

Permanent flowering,

never reached 75%

never reached 75%

never reached 75%

maturity

maturity

maturity

Devyatka

n/a

95

95

95

Drushina

n/a

95

95

95

Eskalar

n/a

110

105

110

Hajnalka

n/a

115

110

110

Kora

n/a

100

100

105

Lifago

n/a

n/a

Hard to detect

Hard to detect

Lileja

n/a

80

80

85

MHR

n/a

100

95

95

Korona

MHR

n/a

100

95

95

Smuga

Oberon

n/a

120+

120+

120+

VB Nojai*

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Zita

n/a

120

120

120

* Vegetation period according to breeder is around 100-110 days.



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Fig. 68: Significant lodging of variety Darja. (Photo: Petra Hlásná Čepková).

The precipitation distribution was different in 2022 compared to 2021. All sites had significant drought with very heavy precipitation in a short period of time. Therefore, buckwheat plants were much lower compared to last year. Varieties Devyatka, Drushina, MHR Korona, Lileja and Lifago were lower, reaching a plant length of around 92-102 cm.

Kora and Eskalar were medium growth reaching 102 – 110 cm in plant length. Zita, Oberon, Hajnalka, Darja were over 110 cm. Darja was the longest variety with 163,6 cm, but it was a variety prone to significant lodging and uneven ripening (Fig 68). Lodging has not occurred in such scale as last year, but this is interconnected with overall weather and generally lower plants.

Table 71: Off combine yield in dt/ha. Please note, this is the yield directly from combine harvester, at different humidity and maturity levels. Varieties with * were not combined, but TGW was evaluated from the cyme. ** TGW of Nojai seed was 27.4 g.

Variety

Soběkury

Off combine yield dt/ha

TGW

Soběkury – netto groat yield in %

Darja

7.18

17.32

48.5

Devyatka

6.54

26.07

75.8

Drushina

8.29

27.84

74.4

Eskalar

7.96

22.21

69.8

Hajnalka

8.46

22.72

72.1

Kora

7.29

22.81

65.2

Lifago

n/a

7.96*

n/a

Lileja

n/a

21.02*

n/a

MHR Korona

6.33

25.12

75.3

MHR Smuga

9.76

25.45

68.2

Oberon

8.78

28.65

53.6

VB Nojai**

n/a

n/a

n/a

Zita

8.41

23.58

66.3



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