Comparison of organic and conventional selection environments for spring wheat

With 1 figure and 8 tables Abstract An important research question is whether wheat cultivars for organic production should be selected under organic field conditions. Yield, protein content and kernel weight (KWT) of seven populations of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) selected in both organic and conventional growing conditions (termed selection environments) were compared at four organically and four conventionally managed sites (termed management environments). Selection environment was found to affect yield, protein and KWT in both management environments. At most sites, populations selected in organic environments had higher yields at organically managed sites relative to conventionally selected populations. When organically managed site‐years were combined, the yields of organically selected populations were significantly higher than those of conventionally selected populations. Populations selected under organic management had higher protein content and KWT under both management environments. Direct selection in organically managed field conditions for genotypes targeted to organic agriculture offers advantages over indirect selection in conventionally managed field conditions.