Evaluation of grain yield performance of seven (Triticum durum Desf.) genotypes grown under semi-arid conditions during two crop seasons in the eastern of Algeria

Abstract. The aim of this study was to test the adaptability of seven (Triticum durum Desf.) genotypes grown under semi-arid conditions. The experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Experimental Station of Setif (Algeria), in a design of random blocks with three replications; the plant material used in this study consisted of seven genotypes (Triticum durum Desf.). At maturity, the following parameters were measured: grain yield; economic yield; above ground biomass; number of spikes per meter square; number of grain per spike; harvest index; thousand kernel weight and plant height. Number of days to heading was accounted from sown date. ANOVA showed that genotype and crop season effect were highly significant with all traits studied. MBB and Boussellem genotypes were the most suitable genotypes; they had good ranking under both crop seasons according to their results for all traits studied. 2016/2017 was the best crop season; it recorded the best values of grain yield and the majority of the traits studied. The interaction genotype X crop season was highly significant for all traits studied.The correlations among traits under both crop season showed that grain yield was significantly correlated with economic yield and number of grains per spike. A high significant correlation was observed between economic yield and above ground biomass under both crop seasons. Number of days to heading was significantly correlated with plant height under both crop seasons.