INHERITANCE OF QUALITY TRAITS IN 2 DURUM-WHEAT (TRITICUM-DURUM DESF) CROSSES

The value of durum wheats depends on their quality traits. In the pres ent work the inheritance of some quality characters was studied in ear ly generations of durum wheat crosses. Both positive and negative over dominance was found in the inheritance of semolina yield of hybrids in F-1 generation, but in F-2 and F-3 generations the semolina yield of hybrids were similar to the their midparent values. Low pigment conten t was dominant in F-1 generation, but in F-2 and F-3 generations the p igment content of hybrids was close to that of the midparent. Negative overdominance was observed in the wet gluten content of hybrids in F- 1 generation, but in F-2 and F-3 generations positive heterosis was ge nerally observed. The vitreousness of grain inherited intermediately, and positive heterosis was often observed. Low protein content dominat ed in one hybrid, but in other combinations it showed recessive inheri tance. The cooking value of pasta of hybrids (measured by aleurograph) after 15 and 30 minutes cooking time was similar to the value of the poorer parent.