Experimental determination of genetic and environmental influences on the viscosity of triticale

Low viscosity in cereals is important for monogastric livestock feeding. With respect to triticale, knowledge on the variability of its viscosity and its environmental dependence is deplorably low. Six winter varieties with similar earliness at maturity were chosen that covered a large range of potential applied viscosity (PAV) (individual values ranging from 1.8 to 4.9 ml/g). These were cultivated in four locations in Switzerland, at altitudes ranging between 430 and 700 m a.s.l., in 2008 and 2009. The effect of genotype on the PAV was significant and clearly influenced by the location factor. Although variety × location and variety × year interactions were rather low, they were still very important for the PAV compared with other variables such as grain yield and specific grain weight. The PAV expression of one variety seemed not to be susceptible to environmental conditions. The varietal range in viscosity demonstrates a high potential for breeding to raise quality, especially as the viscosity and the ...