ABSTRACT
Comparison of two French wheat cultivars sown in Chile

Mario Mellado Z.1*
 

A field trial was carried out during 2000/01 and 2001/ 02 seasons to compare some agronomic and quality traits of two winter bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars released in France in different years. A split plot arrangement laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates with two N treatments (58 and 240 kg ha-1), and two sub treatments (cultivars Capelle Desprez and Baroudeur) was used. The experiment was located in an Andisoil at the Santa Rosa Experimental Field (36º31’ S lat; 71º54’ W long), of the Quilamapu Regional Research Center of the National Agriculture Research Institute, Chillán, Chile. There were no interactions between N dosage and wheat varieties. Average grain yield of cv. Baroudeur was 25% significantly higher than cv. Capelle Desprez, which was is explained by a higher number of spikes per m2 (531 vs. 438), and a better harvest index (35 vs. 26%). Plant height of cv. Baroudeur was significantly lower than Capelle Desprez (93.7 vs. 107.8 cm). In grain quality, the average values of Baroudeur and Capelle Desprez were as follows: hardness index, 33 vs. 42%; sedimentation volume, 12.8 vs. 9.2 mL, and protein, 9.0 vs. 9.6%, respectively. It is concluded that cv. Baroudeur, released in 1988, was superior in several characteristics to cv. Capelle Desprez, released in 1946.

Keywords: Triticum aestivum L., cultivars, Capelle Desprez, Baroudeur, grain yield, yield components, and grain quality.
1 Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Centro Regional de Investigación Quilamapu, Casilla 426, Chillán. Chile. E-mail: mmellado@inia.cl *Autor para correspondencia