HERITABILITY OF END-USE QUALITY AND BIOFORTIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS IN LINE X TESTER BREAD WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) CROSSES

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important resource of dietary energy and protein for the growing world population and its potential to reduce micronutrient-related malnutrition can be increased via improving the genetically micronutrient-rich wheat varieties. The study aimed to evaluate "line x tester" bread wheat hybrids in terms of the physical quality criteria affecting wheat flour yield, protein and biofortification associated nutrient element contents. In addition, it was tried to determine the gene effects that play a role in the inheritance of biofortification and end-use quality traits. Twenty-eight F-1 hybrids which were obtained by crossing seven lines and four testers were evaluated along with parents in Eskisehir, Turkey during 2016-17 growing period for mentioned traits. It has been determined that the effects of non-additive genes are dominant in the inheritance of the traits examined. It would be wise to leave the selection for these properties to future generations. In addition, appropriate parents and promising crosses were identified by looking at their parents' general combination abilities and specific combination abilities and heterosis values of the crosses. The results obtained were also supported by the principal component analyses. Consequently, the DH22 line is appropriate for breeding programs for high end-use quality and biofortified capacity. "DH2OxHarmankaya", "DH22xHarmankaya", "DH21xAltay" and "DH18xAltay" are promising crosses for biofortification and end-use quality.