Use of Wild Relatives in Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum Desf.) Breeding Program: Adaptation and Stability in Context of Contrasting Environments in Tunisia

In Mediterranean regions, the performance of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. Desf.) yield often varies due to significant genotype × environment interaction (GEI); therefore, stability is an important consideration in breeding programs. The aim this research was explore GEI pattern and 24 promising lines, selected by ICARDA several African countries (seven elites, four commercial varieties, 13 wide crosses, generated hybridization elites Triticum dicoccoides Koern. ex Schweinf., araraticum Jakubz, Aegilops speltoides Tausch) against a Tunisian local check variety ‘Salim’. Yield assessment conducted across six environments under rainfed conditions, at field station Kef semi-arid region during cropping seasons (2014–2015, 2015–2016, 2016–2017, 2017–2018) sub-humid Beja two (2015–2016 2018–2019). analysis variance showed that main source variation grain (72.05%), followed genotypes (25.33%) (2.62%). model (PC) based on identified mega-environment including (2016–2017 2018–2019) elite line 22 as widely adapted genotype. Combined analysis, computed using average lines adaptation index (AWAI), 9 23 (2.41 2.34 t·ha−1, respectively), wild relative-derived 5, 1, 10 (2.37, 2.31, 2.28 respectively) were more stable better yielding than national reference (2.21 t·ha−1). This finding supports good potential lines. five selections are recommended be developed multi-environments regions Tunisia, especially area.