EVALUATION OF COMMON BUCKWHEAT CULTIVARS

During three years a set of 20 selected buckwheat cultivars of differe nt origin was studied. In the total, 16 selected characters, inclusive of 10 qualitative ones and some morphological characters, growth and development phases and productivity elements, were studied. The highes t variance level was determined in yield - coefficient of variance (v = 51.9%), rutin content in above-ground mass (v = 46.92%) and rutin co ntent in seeds (v = 33.17%). The lowest values (v < 10%) were computed for contents of starch, crude protein and some mineral elements (P, K , Mg). The effect of years was significant in all studied characters. The differences in all three years were significant in plant height, o il content and K content. As to the yield level, the cultivars involve d in experiment could be divided into three groups (with the yield hig her than in the control cultivar Pyra, with the mean yield and with lo w yield). Cultivars were differentiated using cluster analysis accordi ng to all evaluated characters into three clusters. When we implemente d groups and clusters the set could be divided into six subgroups. Cul tivars Sumcanka, Krupinka, Hruszowska, Skorospelaya and Prego thigh yi eld and optimum combination of other characters) fell in the first sub group.