Breeding progress, genotypic and environmental variation and correlation of quality traits in malting barley in German official variety trials between 1983 and 2015.

Evaluation of breeding progress for spring barley varieties in Germany showed that both grain yield and malting quality were considerably improved during the last 33 years, and that genetic effects of protein concentration and malting traits were not associated. Based on historical data, this study aimed to investigate yield potential and malting quality of 187 varieties tested and released in German registration trials to evaluate the value for cultivation and use (VCU) during 1983-2015, and to quantify the environmental variability and the association among traits. We used mixed linear models with multiple linear regression terms to dissect genetic and non-genetic trend components.

Breeding progress, variation, and correlation of grain and quality traits in winter rye hybrid and population varieties and national on-farm progress in Germany over 26 years.

Grain yield of hybrid varieties and population varieties in official German variety trials increased by 23.3 and 18.1%, respectively, over the last 26 years.

Breeding progress, environmental variation and correlation of winter wheat yield and quality traits in German official variety trials and on-farm during 1983-2014.

Over the last 32 years, a large gain in grain yield (24 %) was achieved in official German variety trials, and despite considerable loss in protein concentration (-7.9 %), winter wheat baking quality was partially improved over the last 32 years. On-farm gain in grain yield (32 %) exceeded gain in trials, but at yield level about 25 dt ha lower.

Genetic and non-genetic long-term trends of 12 different crops in German official variety performance trials and on-farm yield trends.

Yield progress in major German crops is generated mostly due to genetic improvement over the last 30 years. Comparison of trial-station with on-farm yield reveals considerable gaps that are widening over time. Yield progress of newly released varieties for 12 crops from official German trials over the period 1983 until 2012 was analysed to assess their value for cultivation and use (VCU).

Dissecting genetic and non-genetic sources of long-term yield trend in German official variety trials.

Long-term yield trends have genetic and non-genetic components which may be dissected by a linear mixed model with regression terms. Disease-resistance breakdown must be accounted for in the interpretation. Long-term yield trends of crop varieties may be studied to identify a genetic trend component due to breeding efforts and a non-genetic trend component due to advances in agronomic practices.