Winter-wheat breeding in Poland

Abstract

This article is to fill a gap in the West-European literature by giving some information about Polish winter wheat varieties. The authors give a short description of the soil and climatic conditions in Poland and discuss the problem of adapting newly developed varieties to the very variable conditions in different zones. Then a brief outline of the wheat breeding in Poland since 1860 is given. The most important varieties developed in previous years are discussed. special attention is given to the modern Polish winter wheat varieties, some of which are resistant to frost and to lodging and high yielding. Wheat breeding trends in Poland at present are briefly discussed including the importance of the tillering capacity depending on regional conditions, the thickness and elasticity of straw, disease resistance and winterhardiness. The paper also deals with the plant breeding and research organization in Poland.

In conclusion the authors point out the possible importance which some varieties, chiefly the winter-hardy ones, may have to supplement the germ-plasm of wheat in the West-European countries. A table with pedigree of the Polish wheat varieties is added.