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The aim of this study was to access the overall effects of genotype, environment and genotype x environment interaction (GEI), as well as the importance of individual agro-technological traits in the broomcorn [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] panicle yield formation. The performances of 11 broomcorn cultivars grown in eight different seasons are discussed in this paper. The restricted maximum likelihood (REML) variance component estimates model revealed that panicle yield was for the most part dependent on GEI (47.5%), which allowed identification of best genotypes for specific environments. The partial least squares regression (PLSR) model revealed that the most important climatic variables for optimal yield are precipitation in vegetation period and maximum air temperature in vegetation, followed by difference between maximum and minimum temperature in vegetation, growing degree days and sum of precipitation. Generally, lower temperature and higher precipitation parameters had beneficial effect on yield. Considering the individual agro-technological traits, the most important for panicle yield were weight of threshed and unthreshed panicle, as well as grain weight per panicle. As directly related to yield; length of the panicle, fibre length and number of fibres per panicle were also important. The best yield (Sava, 11.75 t ha(-1) ) and stability (Jumak, Prima) performances were recorded for locally adapted cultivars. The knowledge obtained in this study is valuable for the identification and understanding of key environmental and agro-technological factors that contribute to the yield of broomcorn panicle.

One of the goals of this paper was to determine correlation between grain yield, like the most important agronomic trait, and traits of the plant and ear that are influencing on the grain yield, in two test-cross populations, which are formed by crossing progenies of NSU1 population after 17 cycles of phenotypic recurrent selection and two testers, 568/II NS and B73. At 568/II NS testcrosses, grain yield had the highest value of genotypic coefficient of correlations with kernel row number. In second studied population the highest value of coefficient of correlations also was found between grain yield and kernel row number, but that relation was negative. Path coefficient analysis provides more information among variables than do correlation coefficients. Because of that goal of this study also was founding the direct and indirect effects of morphological traits on grain yield. Desirable, high significant influence on grain yield, in path coefficient analysis, was found for ear height, in both studied populations. Plant height, in both testcross populations, kernel row number and oil content, at B73 testcrosses, has high significant undesirable effect on grain yield.

Excess boron may exhibit detrimental effect on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). An effective technique for assessing the response of wheat genotypes to excess boron is required to create high yielding tolerant cultivars. Filter paper assay, based on seedling's primary root length reduction in the presence of excess boron, is commonly used for distinguishing tolerant and sensitive genotypes. The study was undertaken to investigate the effect of excess boron on both primary and lateral root length, number of roots, number of days from imbibition to germination and germination percentage on the sample of 25 wheat cultivars, differing in origin and boron tolerance. The experiment included control and three boron treatments. On average, excess boron reduced root length and number and had no effect on number of days from imbibition to germination and germination percentage; however, significant differences have been found among the genotypes. The imposed boron treatments demonstrated 5.2% stronger effect on lateral root length in comparison to primary root length. In 10 out of 25 cases, boron tolerance estimated from primary root length reduction was not consistent with the estimation from lateral root length reduction; therefore, total root length reduction may be more valuable selection criterion for boron tolerance in wheat.