Potential for simultaneous improvement of grain and biomass yield in Central European winter triticale germplasm

Winter triticale, an abundant biomass source for producing biogas in Central Europe, has been bred until now for increased grain yield but not for early biomass yield. Therefore, our objectives were to assess the feasibility of breeding triticale for simultaneous improvement of early biomass and grain yield as well as to predict the early biomass yield using an index of traits measured at maturity stage. A representative sample of 100 triticale lines was evaluated in Experiment I at four locations in Germany. Traits were measured at two growth stages (early dough and full maturity). Genetic variances were significantly different from zero for all traits. The correlated response for early biomass yield estimated from grain yield (0.53) was high, which points to the efficiency of indirect selection. A multiple regression model was developed to predict early biomass yield. The reliability of the model was confirmed in an independent Experiment II with 49 lines. The calibration model explained 55% of total variation for early biomass yield. This clearly underlines that at least during earlier stages of selection, field testing can be carried out for grain yield and related traits to select potential genotypes with high biomass yield based on the developed regression model.

Research highlights▶ Central European elite triticale germplasm showed Large variation for biomass and grain yield. ▶ There is a potential for simultaneous improvement of early biomass and grain yield. ▶ Prediction of early biomass from an index of traits is possible by step wise regression model. ▶ Validation of the model in an independent experiment is promising.