Desenvolvimento de cultivares de trigo para o estado de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plays a crucial role in the global economy and human society. Its domestication enabled human sedentarization, which is reflected in the fact that wheat is one of the most widely produced cereals worldwide. In Brazil, wheat cultivation is predominantly concentrated in the southern region of the country, and consequently, most breeding programs are tailored to the specific needs of this region. However, recent incentives have driven its expansion towards the central region of the country, which presents several challenges in terms of adaptation and the development of cultivars suited to the climate and other adversities of Central Brazil. Recognizing this issue, this study was conducted to perform final trials (VCU) for wheat in accordance with the current regulations of the Ministério da Agricultura e Pecuária (MAPA). The trials utilized breeding lines from the wheat improvement program of the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA) across four locations covering the mesoregions of Campo das Vertentes and Alto Paranaíba during the 2023 and 2024 crop seasons. The results indicate significant differences in the average performance of the tested lines across different locations concerning yield parameters. Additionally, clear effects were observed in yield variations between the two crop years, which may influence the lines farinograph data obtained. Among the tested genotypes, some breeding lines from UFLA's program demonstrated both high productivity and rheological quality that meets market standards, suggesting promising positioning and encouraging the development of new cultivars for the region. Furthermore, the findings highlight the need for additional studies to better understand the performance of cultivars under the climatic adversities of these regions, revealing a research area rich in opportunities.