Abstract:
For the organic farmers there is important question which varieties of
wheat are right for organic farming in Less Favoured Areas. Modern
varieties of wheat are bred in the conditions of conventional (high imput)
farming. That is why the organic farmers asked about the suitability of land
races of soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) or different species like emmer
wheat grown in the past (Triticum dicoccum SCHUEBL). The paper results
from the study of fourty land races, two intermediate and ten modern
varieties of soft wheat in comparison to ten land races of emmer wheat at two
locations in the Czech Republic. We evaluated tuft shape, length of plant,
length and width of flag leaf, length and density of spike and awnedness. The
modern varieties of soft wheat are characterised by a high level of
uniformity. Their tuft shape is erect or semi-erect and length of plant is 60-70
cm, it does not rise the weed competitiveness. On the other hand, they have a
medium or long flag leaf whose width is narrow or medium. Length of spike
is medium or long. On the other hand, emmer wheat land races have the
same tuft shape as forgoing modern varieties. Length of plant (89-119 cm) is
the positive aspect of the weed competitiveness. Their flag leaf is narrow, but
it is compesated by its length. The spike is shorter than the spike of modern
varieties of soft wheat, but it is effectivelly compensated by an increased
density. Intermediate wheat land races are characterised by looselly
spreading tuft shape which puts the weeds down, but on the other hand, it
favours the mildew because of the microclimate of soil. Its flag leaf is very
short and narrow. Length of spike is medium and it is lax dense. The group of
land races of soft wheat is characterised by a high diversity. The tuft shape is
most frequently semi-erect. The length of plant varies from 60 to 120 cm, it
usually ranges from 90 to 110 cm. Flag leaf is usually long or very long, but
its width is very narrow or narrow. The spike is often long, but lax dense.
Some of the evaluated varieties of landraces are proved to be suitable for
organic farming from the point of view of the morphological characteristics.
