Aran, a new durum wheat cultivar adapted to wheat growing areasin warm agro-climate zone of Iran

The new durum wheat cultivar Aran (DW-91-6) was initially introduced as a breeding line through 41th International Durum Yield Nursery (IDYN) received from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CYMMIT) and was evaluated in two research stations of Khorramabad and Darab in warm agro-climate zone of Iran. In this step, Aran was selected for the further studies based on its high grain yield (6398 kgha-1). This line had average grain yield of 7183 kgha-1 in the regional preliminary yield trial in 2010-2011 cropping season. Line DW-91-6 had average grain yield of 7172 kgha-1 in the advanced yield trial compared to Behrang check cultivar with grain yield of 7068 kgha-1 in 2011-2012 cropping season and was selected for the further evaluations. In the regional elite yield trial conducted in four stations of Ahvaz, Darab, Dezful and Khorramabad in 2012-13 and 2013-14, this line with 7660 kgha-1 had 9% higher yield than Behrang check cultivar with grain yield of 7021 kgha-1 and was selected as superior line based on its grain yield and yield stability. Aran also has high quality of semolina, high protein content (13.6%) and high percentage of wet gluten (30%). The results of on-farm trials showed that this cultivar exhibited a 24% to 26% higher grain than Yavarus as a local check inKerman as well as a 17% higher grain yield compared to Behrang as a local check in Khoozestan. In total, based on its high grain yield, yield stability, quality of semolina and its good level of resistance to yellow and leaf rust diseases, line DW-91-6 was released as a new durum wheat cultivar with the name “Aran” for warm agro-climate zone of Iran.