ALBIDUM 31 is a soft spring wheat variety developed by Russian scientists at the Krasnokutskaya Breeding Experimental Station of the Southern Research Institute of Agriculture (NIISKh). It is a medium-early variety with a vegetation period of 71 to 87 days, belonging to the steppe agro-ecotype and noted for its high drought resistance. The plants are medium-height with semi-erect culms, weakly stalked, and covered with a strong waxy coating on the upper internode. The ear is cylindrical, medium density, white in color, with a straight shoulder of medium width and a short, slightly curved beak. The grain is ovoid, white, with a long awn; the 1000-grain weight varies from 34 to 39 grams, making this variety one of the largest-grained among spring wheat varieties. The variety demonstrates high productivity and competitiveness in cultivation zones such as Rostov and Saratov regions, as well as the North Caucasus and Lower Volga regions. Average yield in the Saratov region is about 11.9 centners per hectare (c/ha), in the Rostov region from 19 to 26 c/ha, with a maximum indicator of up to 42.4 c/ha under dry farming conditions. Compared to standard varieties such as Saratovskaya 55, Saratovskaya 58, and Albidum 28, Albidum 31 shows superiority in yield by 1.4 c/ha and more. High productivity is achieved due to a combination of drought resistance and field resistance to brown rust, ensuring crop stability in years with varying moisture availability. Regarding phytopathological characteristics, the variety is moderately resistant to powdery and solid ear bunt, and shows a later infection by brown rust compared to other varieties. Baking qualities of the variety are assessed as good fillers, with protein content in grain up to 16.1% and raw gluten up to 34.4%. These indicators make Albidum 31 attractive for use in the baking industry. Due to its biological and economic qualities, the variety is widely recommended for cultivation in southern regions of Russia, ensuring high yield and grain quality.
