Evaluation of different South African wheat cultivators under irrigation for quality and yield parameters in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

In South Africa, wheat ranks first among the winter cereal crops produced and plays an important role in the country’s economy. The study was conducted to evaluate different South African wheat cultivars under irrigation for quality and yield parameters in Limpopo province. A field experiment was conducted during 2011 winter growing season under irrigation at the University of Limpopo experimental farm (Syferkuil). Eight wheat cultivars namely: Olifants, CNR 826, SST 347, Baviaans, Duzi, Steenbrass, SST 356 and Krokodil were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications for evaluation of yield and quality. The results showed that the highest grain yield obtained was 2372 kg/ha by CNR 826, and the lowest 311 kg/ha by SST 347. Flour yield, break flour yield, flour protein and mixogram development time and water absorption were not significantly different among cultivars. The highest hectolitre mass was 75.13 kghl-1for CNR 826 and the lowest 72.20 kghl-1 for Olifants. The highest falling number obtained was 187.00 sec for SST 347 and the lowest was 81.50 sec for Steenbrass. Cultivars CNR 826, SST 347, Steenbrass and SST 356 showed a good potential on protein content but Krokodil, Olifants and Baviaans had poor protein contents at 9.63%, 9.73% and 10.24% respectively. These results showed that wheat cultivars evaluated were within the requirements of the grading systems of South Africa as regards hectolitre mass and protein content. All these cultivars did not reach the required grade of 220 seconds in falling numbers with Olifants (97.50 sec), CNR 826 (103.50 sec), SST 347 (187.00 sec), Baviaans (146.75 sec), Krokodil (139.50 sec), Steenbrass (81.50 sec) and Duzi (50.25 sec), but only SST 356 met the requirement for utility grade with164.50 seconds. Olifants, CNR 826, Krokodil and Steenbrass yielded above 1500 kgha-1thus showing good potential under Limpopo conditions. These cultivars could be included in future performance evaluations in Limpopo.