A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF WHEAT VARIETIES FOR ENHANCED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY IN THE MENA REGION

Abstract

Throughout the 2022/2023 growing season, a field experiment was conducted at the Advancing Research Enabling Communities Centre (AREC) in the Beqaa plain at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, to assess eleven advanced durum wheat genotypes obtained from the Prima Cereal Med Project, two genotypes (Icaverve & Margherita) sourced from ICARDA, and an imported Italian wheat variety (Demantillo). Results showed that there were no significant differences among treatments for grain yield, hay yield, and spike number. Although statistical significance was not detected, the mean performance indicated that ESDCB-2015/2016-82 and IDSN46-7010 genotypes exhibited the highest productivity, with grain yields of 4.89 t/ha and 4.75 t/ha, respectively. However, significant variations were observed in plant height. The Iride genotype (48.7 cm) differed significantly from the Monastir genotype (55.3 cm) at 110 days after planting, and the Margherita genotype (70.8 cm) differed from the Monastir genotype (78.3 cm) at 113 days after planting. Tiller number also exhibited a significant difference between Saragolla (3.1) and Antalis (4.2). The calculated harvesting index showed a significant difference between Margherita (39.6%) and Iride (46.3%). In addition, proximate analysis was conducted to determine moisture, protein, fat, crude fiber, ash percentages, and starch content, along with the thousand kernel weight for all varieties. In conclusion, while statistical significance was not evident, the mean performance of the genotypes suggests that ESDCB-2015/2016-82 and IDSN46-7010 were the most productive, with grain yields of 4.89 t/ha and 4.75 t/ha, respectively. To contextualize these results, a comparison was made with studies conducted in Lebanon and other countries, providing insights into the genotype, location and agricultural practices effect.