Torabi, new wheat cultivar suitable for water-stressed conditions of temperate regions of Iran

Torabi wheat cultivar introduced to iranian wheat breeding program through an international nursery from CIMMIT (28th SAWSN) in 2010 and was evaluated under terminal drought stress implemented from the flowering stage in 2010-2011 cropping season. Then in 2011-2012 cropping season it was tested in the preliminary regional wheat yield trial under terminal drought stress in Karaj and was selected based on its average grain yield of (4878 kgha-1) compared to the average grain yield of (3939 kgha-1) Parsi check cultivar. This cultivar was further studied in the advanced regional wheat yield trial in the temperate regions of the country during 2012-2013 and with average grain yield of 6634 kgha-1 under drought stress condition compared to 6073 and 6768 kgha-1 yields of check cultivars Parsi and Sirvan, respectively, was selected for evaluation in the adaptability and yield stability. The average grain yield of Torabi (line M-92-20) in adaptability experiment during the years 2013-2015 under drought stress conditions was 6516 kgha-1 compared to 6110 kgha-1 of Sirvan check cultivar and 5697 kgha-1 of Parsi check cultivar and also its total grain yield mean was 3% higher than the average grain yields of all genotypes. Due to the resistant reaction of the line M-92-20 to stripe and leaf rust diseases, as well as the early maturity and very good bread making quality, this line was selected for evaluation in the on-farm trials in farmer’s fields. Overall in farmer’s fields, this line had grain yield mean of 8637 kgha-1 under normal irrigation, and 5672 kgha-1 under water deficit conditions compared to the average yield of check cultivars with 6150 kgha-1 under optimal conditions and 5104 kgha-1 under water deficit conditions.