Semolina extracted from grains of durum wheat is used for manufacturing pastas. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the yield potential and agronomic behavior of seventeen durum wheat inbred lines (BH-1146/LGN//2*IAC-1003) originated from Instituto Agronômico (IAC) breeding program and three check cultivars IAC-1001, IAC-1002 and IAC-1003, introduced from International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico. The experiments were carried out in upland conditions at Capão Bonito and under irrigation at Mococa, in 2007 and 2008. The following characters were evaluated: yield (kg ha-1), plant height, head length and raquis internode length (cm), number of grains per spike and 100 grains weight (g). The tolerance to aluminum toxicity was evaluated in nutrient solution, under laboratory conditions. 'IAC-1001' and 'IAC-1003' showed good performance in relation to grain yield at the two locations. The inbred lines 2, 9 and 13 showed shorter semi dwarf plant type; inbred lines 4, 15 and the cultivar IAC-1001 had longer heads; 'IAC-1001' and 'IAC-1002' exhibited more fertile spikes; 'IAC-1003' heavier grains and the inbred lines 1, 4, 15 and 17 presented higher raquis internode length. The more productive genotypes tent to present taller semi dwarf plant types, more of grain per spike and heavier grains. The inbred lines from the IAC breeding program were tolerant to aluminum toxicity and the check cultivars were sensitive.
Triticum durum L.; plant breading; aluminum tolerance
