Canonical variate analysis of breadmaking quality characteristics in irrigated spring wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Wheat quality characteristics are subject to environmental effects, resulting in inconsistent quality. The aim of this study was to attain a better understanding of those variates discriminating between cultivars for breadmaking quality across environments. Ten cultivars were tested for 27 quality characteristics across seven environments. A canonical variate analysis was used. The CV1 and CV2 together accounted for more than 70% of variability in breadmaking quality. SDS sedimentation value, mixograph development time, mixograph point score, alveograph strength and P/L ratio were the major variates discriminating between the cultivars. The cultivars with the best potential and those with the poorest potential grouped together in a plot of the analysis. It was found that the canonical variate analysis as a multivariate analysis can be used by the breeder to assess quality of wheat cultivars, and to make quality selection more effective.