Phenotypic Variability of Wheat and Environmental Share in Soil Salinity Stress [3S] Conditions

: Through choosing bread wheat genotypes that can be cultivated in less productive areas, one can increase the economic worth of those lands, and increase the area under cultivation for this strategic crop. As a result, more food sources will be available for the growing global population. The phenotypic variation of ear mass and grain mass per ear, as well as the genotype × environment interaction, were studied in 11 wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars and 1 triticale ( Triticosecale W.) cultivar grown under soil salinity stress (3S) during three vegetation seasons. The results of the experiment set on the control variant (solonetz) were compared to the results obtained from soil reclaimed by phosphogypsum in the amount of 25 t × ha − 1 and 50 t × ha − 1 . Using the AMMI analysis of variance, there was found to be a statistically signiﬁcant inﬂuence of additive and non-additive sources of variation on the phenotypic variation of the analyzed traits. Although the local landrace Banatka and the old variety Bankut 1205 did not have high enough genetic capacity to exhibit high values of ear mass, they were well-adapted to 3S. The highest average values of grain mass per ear and the lowest average values of the coefﬁcient of variation were obtained in all test variants under microclimatic condition B. On soil reclaimed by 25 t × ha − 1 and 50 t × ha − 1 of phosphogypsum, in microclimate C, the genotypes showed the highest stability. The most stable genotypes were Rapsodija and Renesansa. Under 3S, genotype Simonida produced one of the most stable reactions for grain mass per ear.


Introduction
Wheat (Triticum sp.) is one of the most significant plant species worldwide. It has played an important role in the development of mankind, participating not only in human nutrition, but in the development of many human activities as well. There is a crucial need to improve the production of wheat for a growing population [1]. Wheat grain yield is a so-called super-trait, a highly quantitative trait that depends on many components that determine it, as well as on environmental factors [2][3][4][5].
Soil, as the medium for crop production, can be the limiting factor in crop establishment and in achieving an adequate yield [6]. This is mostly in reference to soils with high concentrations of different salt types. Representatives of such soils belong to halomorphic soils, among which is solonetz [7]. Due to their poor chemical and physical properties, these soils limit plant growth, and lead to reduced yields in arid and semi-arid areas [8][9][10]. For these reasons, there is a need to increase crop productivity in this type of soil, with the wheat on solonetz after its repair by appropriate reclamation measures, and improves our understanding of how crops react to these types of stress, because solonetz does not provide favorable conditions for growing wheat, and is primarily used as a pasture. The study's findings painted a clear picture of wheat behavior under the influence of climate change. These findings could help to produce new genetic diversity, but they also suggest that growing wheat in a low bonitet class of soil has a bioremediation function that increases the land's economic worth, and also increases the area used for cultivating wheat.

Plant Material and Field Exams
Twelve genotypes were studied, including 10 cultivars, one local population of hexaploid (2n = 6× = 42) wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. aestivum L.), and one cultivar of triticale (Triticosecale W.). The tested wheat cultivars included eight winter cultivars (Renesansa, Pobeda, Evropa 90, Novosadska rana 5, Dragana, Rapsodija, Simonida and Cipovka), while cultivar Nevesinjka was optional. Newer cultivars were also considered, in order to assess their utility in abiotic stress situations, which are mostly induced by soil type. Two older wheat genotypes, that were present in the Serbian area, were used in the experiment (Banatka and Bankut 1205, which originated from Hungary), as shown in Table 1. The sample was selected based on previous studies of the existing genetic variability [15,29,30]. Triticale cultivar Odisej was sown. Triticale was used as a test plant to determine how wheat tolerated the abiotic stress conditions, because it is a synthetic hybrid with a high degree of resistance to abiotic stress factors. The experiment was set up in Banat (Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia) at Kumane site (45,539 • N, 20,228 • E, 72 m altitude), on stressed halomorphic soil of solonetz type, on an experimental area of 2 ha. The experiment was performed during three vegetation periods, marked as microclimate conditions A, B and C. A field trial was conducted according to randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replications. The cultivars were sown in 155 m-long rows, using machines, with an interrow distance of 12.5 cm. Every cultivar was sown in 8 rows. During sowing, 134 kg × ha −1 of mineral fertilizer NPK 15:15:15 was applied. Depending on weather conditions, the crops were fertilized during vegetation seasons in late March or early April, using mineral fertilizer KAN in the amount of 200 kg × ha −1 . A total of 30 plants per treatment were analyzed. They were represented by the primary stem (10 primary stems × 3 repetitions) in order to evaluate the phenotypic variation of the yield components: ear mass and grain Sustainability 2022, 14, 8598 4 of 18 mass per ear. In all vegetation seasons, the harvest was performed and samples were taken when caryopsis was hard (could no longer be dented by thumb-nail) at physiological maturity, Zadoks growth stage 92 [31]. Solonetz is a halomorphic soil with more than 15% sodium ion-Na + adsorbed in the exchange complex. As a result, it is alkalized (pH > 9) and unfavorable for crops. The heavy mechanical composition of the compacted and impermeable Bt, na horizon severely limits solonetz's production capability, as shown in Table 2, Figure 1. mass per ear. In all vegetation seasons, the harvest was performed and samples were taken when caryopsis was hard (could no longer be dented by thumb-nail) at physiological maturity, Zadoks growth stage 92 [31]. Solonetz is a halomorphic soil with more than 15% sodium ion-Na + adsorbed in the exchange complex. As a result, it is alkalized (pH > 9) and unfavorable for crops. The heavy mechanical composition of the compacted and impermeable Bt,na horizon severely limits solonetz's production capability, as shown in Table 2, Figure 1.  The results from soil with two reclamation levels, from 25 t × ha −1 and 50 t × ha −1 of phosphogypsum, were processed in addition to the control results (soil without reclamation-natural pasture). The soil in the investigated plot was drained, to allow salts to leak into the neighboring drainage canals. The results from soil with two reclamation levels, from 25 t × ha −1 and 50 t × ha −1 of phosphogypsum, were processed in addition to the control results (soil without reclamation-natural pasture). The soil in the investigated plot was drained, to allow salts to leak into the neighboring drainage canals.
Each treatment was studied as a separate agro-ecological habitat for plant growth and development for one growing period. As a result, 9 alternative agro-ecological growing conditions were obtained, all of which were similar in terms of agro-technical circumstances, but differed in terms of phosphogypsum treatments (Table 3). Apart from the unfavorable characteristics of solonetz soil, there were other abiotic stress conditions at the Kumane site. The joint action of the steppes, clearly expressed temperature changes and extremes, strong winds and water retention on the plot surface had an effect on the selection of this site. Weather conditions at the Kumane experimental field throughout the vegetation season, when wheat was produced, were, for the most part, typical of that environment. Sowing wheat was accompanied by a deficit of precipitation. Winters were marked by very cold weather, strong ground frosts and lack of snow cover. The extreme minimum temperature was −17.8 • C. May set a record for precipitation (microclimate condition B, 162.1 mm). Weak precipitation, relatively high air temperatures and frequent winds caused the drying of the surface layer of the soil, as shown in Figure 2.

Statistical Tools
For each investigated trait, the parameters of the descriptive statistics were calculated: mean value and coefficient of variation. Analysis of variation in the

Statistical Tools
For each investigated trait, the parameters of the descriptive statistics were calculated: mean value and coefficient of variation. Analysis of variation in the experiment, its quantification, and identification of sources of variation were performed using the AMMI model (Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction). Thus, AMMI ANOVA presented the main additive components, and then the multivariate source of variation (non-additive component of variance) was reflected. The genotype x environment interaction was further decomposed by a multivariate model PCA analysis [24].
The mean squares (MS) from analysis of variance were used to estimate components of the variance (genotypic variance σ 2 g, phenotypic variance σ 2 p , interaction variance σ 2 g×y×t, and ecological variance σ 2 e ), as follows [33]: Genotypic variance: where: MS1= mean square for genotype; MS2 = mean square for genotype × year × treatment; MS3 = mean square for error; r = replications; y = years; t = treatments. Mean values (x) were used for genetic analyses, to determine the genotypic coefficient of variation (CV g ) and the phenotypic coefficient of variation (CV p ), according to Singh and Chaudhary [34]: Heritability in broad sense (h 2 ) for all traits was computed using the formula given as [35]: Heatmap analysis of Pearson moment correlation coefficients and correlation matrix analysis by the principal components method (PCA) were performed, in order to express the relationships between examined traits and grain yield, using the R Project for Statistical Computing, Version 4.2.0, 22 April 2022 ucrt [36].

Ear Mass
The average value of ear mass per agro-ecological environments was 1.41 g, i.e., on soil without reclamation and two treatments during the experiment. The highest deviations from that average were recorded in cultivars Banatka (x = 0.90 g) and Odisej (x =2.25 g), Table 4, Figure 2. Table 4. Average values (x) and coefficient of variation (V) of ear mass for examined genotypes (11 wheat genotypes and 1 triticale genotype) in nine agro-ecological growing conditions.  The analysis of variance showed that environmental share had a great influence on phenotype formation. This was a result of the significant share of the environment sum of squares-as an additive effect-and the genotype × environment interaction-which had a multivariate nature-in the total variation of the experiment. The genotype response to variations in the actions of environmental factors was reflected in a statistically highly significant value of mean squares of genotype × environment interaction. This interaction was 26.64% of the share of total variation in the experiment sum of squares (Table 5).

Environments
In addition to this significance, the variance analysis of ear mass for the total sample showed high significances of mean squares value for both genotypes and environments. Thereby, in the experiment total variation, the main effects of the variance analysis, genotype and environments, had a 59.97% share of the experiment sum of squares. A large share of the sum of squares within the main effects of the variance analysis belonged to agroecological factors (36.78%), while a smaller share belonged to the genotype sum of squares (23.19%), Table 5.
Although most of the total variability was explained by the first major component (IPCA 1 36.71%), the statistical significance of the remainder indicated that, after the isolation of its influence, part of the variance remained unexplained; the other main components were therefore also analyzed. A total of six statistically significant main axes were distinguished, the second of which covered the largest part.
Almost all genotypes showed a stable reaction for the ear mass. Genotype Dragana showed less stability than the others. Triticale Odisej, with the largest ear mass, had the highest genotype × environment interaction, i.e., the lowest stability of all the genotypes. Although the local population, Banatka, proved to be one of the most stable, and the old cultivar, Bankut 1205, a fairly stable genotype, their average values of ear mass were the lowest, compared to the others. The position of the points for these two genotypes, which were grouped around the middle E1, indicated that these old cultivars were well-adapted to the unfavorable conditions of solonetz soil, but without any potential for high ear mass in tested conditions ( Figure 3). In addition to this significance, the variance analysis of ear mass for the total sample showed high significances of mean squares value for both genotypes and environments. Thereby, in the experiment total variation, the main effects of the variance analysis, genotype and environments, had a 59.97% share of the experiment sum of squares. A large share of the sum of squares within the main effects of the variance analysis belonged to agro-ecological factors (36.78%), while a smaller share belonged to the genotype sum of squares (23.19%), Table 5.
Although most of the total variability was explained by the first major component (IPCA1 36.71%), the statistical significance of the remainder indicated that, after the isolation of its influence, part of the variance remained unexplained; the other main components were therefore also analyzed. A total of six statistically significant main axes were distinguished, the second of which covered the largest part.
Almost all genotypes showed a stable reaction for the ear mass. Genotype Dragana showed less stability than the others. Triticale Odisej, with the largest ear mass, had the highest genotype × environment interaction, i.e., the lowest stability of all the genotypes. Although the local population, Banatka, proved to be one of the most stable, and the old cultivar, Bankut 1205, a fairly stable genotype, their average values of ear mass were the lowest, compared to the others. The position of the points for these two genotypes, which were grouped around the middle Е1, indicated that these old cultivars were well-adapted to the unfavorable conditions of solonetz soil, but without any potential for high ear mass in tested conditions ( Figure 3). The biplot clearly shows the group of points that represent different microclimate conditions. Points Е1 (solonetz without reclamation), Е2 (solonetz with applied 25 t × ha −1 of phosphogypsum) and Е3 (solonetz with applied 50 t × ha −1 of phosphogypsum) form one group (Environment A). Microclimate condition A was characterized by low The biplot clearly shows the group of points that represent different microclimate conditions. Points E1 (solonetz without reclamation), E2 (solonetz with applied 25 t × ha −1 of phosphogypsum) and E3 (solonetz with applied 50 t × ha −1 of phosphogypsum) form one group (Environment A). Microclimate condition A was characterized by low genotype × environment interaction and the great effect of the additive component. In this group, the lowest trait value was on solonetz without reclamation, so that it increased slightly with increasing doses of phosphogypsum. This indicated the visible effect of repaired solonetz in that season. During the second year of the experiment (points E4, E5 and E6), difference in the multivariate part of the variation was manifested, while it was absent in the additive part. This was the reason why the average values of ear mass in all treatments were approximately the same. In the third vegetation season, similar to the previous season, the predominant source of variation was in the additive component. During this season, the genotypes had the best results of the ear mass on solonetz without repair (E7). Considering the positions of points E8 and E9, it can be concluded that the cultivars were most stable on the soil with applied 25 t × ha −1 of phosphogypsum and 50 t × ha −1 phosphogypsum in microclimate condition C. The first vegetation season did not contribute to the decrease of genotype × environment interaction for the ear mass. During this season, regardless of treatment, the genotypes had the lowest ear mass averages, as shown in Figure 3.

Grain Mass per Ear
The average value of grain mass per ear during the three-year experiment ranged from x = 1.0 g in the treatment of 25 t × ha −1 phosphogypsum to x = 1.1 g in the soil without repair and in the treatment of 50 t × ha −1 phosphogypsum. The uniformity of variation of grain mass per ear was indicated by similar values of average coefficient of variation (V = 10.2-10.7%) during the three experimental seasons, as shown in Table 6. Table 6. Average value (x) and coefficient of variation (V) of grain mass per ear for examined genotypes (11 wheat genotypes and 1 triticale genotype) in nine agro-ecological growing conditions. In addition to the highly significant mean of squares of the environments, high statistical significance of the mean of squares of the genotype × environment interaction was also recorded. By analyzing the variance of grain mass per ear for the total sample, it was calculated that the main effects, genotype and environments, had a 55.74% share of the experiment sum of squares in the total experiment variation. Within the main effects of the variance analysis, most of the sum of squares belonged to the environmental share (31.89%), while a smaller share belonged to the genotype sum of squares (23.85%). Genotype × environment interaction had a 30.30% share in the experiment sum of squares, and showed high statistical significance. A total of six main components were distinguished, out of which the first five were statistically significant, as shown in Table 7. The IPCA 1 accounted for most of the interaction (37.58%), which is why the AММI 1 biplot is also shown, in Figure 4.  1 All sources were tested in relation to the error; 2 degree of freedom; 3 mean of square; 4 extracted interaction axes; * F value is statistical significant at 0.05 possibility; **. F value is statistical significant at 0.01 possibility.

Environments
According to the achieved interaction values, i.e., the distance from zero axis, the genotypes were grouped towards stability. Genotypes Rapsodija, Renesansa, Bankut 1205 and Banatka showed the most stable response, relative to the first main component, and after them: Pobeda, Simonida, Cipovka and Evropa 90. Medium stable genotypes were Novosadska rana 5 and Nevesinjka, while genotypes Dragana and triticale Odisej were evaluated as the least stable, as shown in Figure 4.
The distribution of points of the agro-ecological environments indicates a great similarity in conditions for achieving grain mass stability per ear. However, Е2 was singled out as the most stable. Even so, this does not make this environment the most favorable in relation to the others, since the genotypes that were part of it had a mean value of grain mass per ear lower than the total mean value of the experiment for this trait. Agro-ecological environment E6 had the highest interaction score, i.e., it was the environment where genotypes could not show their stable response.
Cultivars Rapsodija and Renesansa stood out as the most stable, compared to the first interaction axis, and with average values higher than the general average ( Figure 4).
According to the achieved interaction values, i.e., the distance from zero axis, the genotypes were grouped towards stability. Genotypes Rapsodija, Renesansa, Bankut 1205 and Banatka showed the most stable response, relative to the first main component, and after them: Pobeda, Simonida, Cipovka and Evropa 90. Medium stable genotypes were Novosadska rana 5 and Nevesinjka, while genotypes Dragana and triticale Odisej were evaluated as the least stable, as shown in Figure 4.

Genetic Parameters
The phenotypic coefficient of variation (CVp) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (CVg) for both analyzed traits. This indicates that the present variation was not only due to genotypes, but also due to the influence of the environment. For all tested microclimates combined, low broad sense heritability values were observed for both traits (31.98% for ear mass and 29.69% for grain mass per ear), as shown in Table 8. a EM = ear mass (g); GMpE = grain mass per ear (g); b σ 2 g -genotypic variance , σ 2 p -phenotypic variance, σ 2 iinteraction variance , σ 2 e -ecological variance; CV g = genotypic coefficient of variation; CV p = phenotypic coefficient of variation; h 2 = heritability in broad sense. **. Tested value is statistical significant at 0.01 possibility.
Lower genotypic than phenotypic variance values are often present when genetic factors are examined in connection to microclimates. This outcome also contributed to the lower-than-expected heritability values in a more general sense. This was due to the significant treatment differences (solonetz, natural pasture and treatments by phosphogypsum), which resulted in high interaction values that were considered when evaluating heritability. However, microclimate B stood out, due to having the most favorable conditions for plant development and the expression of the examined traits. As a result, it can be inferred that more favorable microclimate conditions minimized the differences between the investigated treatments. Higher heritability values for the ear mass (59.74%) and the grain mass per ear (59.16%) were calculated in microclimate B than in microclimates A and C.

Correlations between Studied Parameters and Grain Yield of Wheat under 3S Conditions
In wheat breeding, analyzing the correlation dependency across yield components is crucial, as selection within one feature influences the change of another variable. Single Pearson coefficients are most frequently calculated for correlation analysis, and are shown in the heatmap ( Figure 5). The association assessment is also shown by the biplot obtained by PCA analysis, as shown in Figure 6. a EM = ear mass (g); GMpE = grain mass per ear (g); b σ 2 g-genotypic variance, σ 2 p-phenotypic variance, σ 2 i -interaction variance, σ 2 e-ecological variance; CVg = genotypic coefficient of variation; CVp = phenotypic coefficient of variation; h 2 = heritability in broad sense. **. Tested value is statistical significant at 0.01 possibility.

Correlations between Studied Parameters and Grain Yield of Wheat under 3S Conditions
In wheat breeding, analyzing the correlation dependency across yield components is crucial, as selection within one feature influences the change of another variable. Single Pearson coefficients are most frequently calculated for correlation analysis, and are shown in the heatmap ( Figure 5). The association assessment is also shown by the biplot obtained by PCA analysis, as shown in Figure 6. Given that there was a positive correlation between the studied parameters and grain yield, this indicates that there was a tendency for an increase in one component to result in an increase in another component-in this case, grain yield, which is important for breeding efforts. This is particularly important because the experiment was conducted in 3S conditions brought on by an increase in the amount of sodium ions in the soil.
The association between analyzed parameters and grain yield was estimated in more detail through the principal components method, presented by a biplot (Figure 6). Given that there was a positive correlation between the studied parameters and grain yield, this indicates that there was a tendency for an increase in one component to result in an increase in another component-in this case, grain yield, which is important for breeding efforts. This is particularly important because the experiment was conducted in 3S conditions brought on by an increase in the amount of sodium ions in the soil.
The association between analyzed parameters and grain yield was estimated in more detail through the principal components method, presented by a biplot (Figure 6).
By comparing the values of the first (Dim1) and second (Dim2) principal components of PCA for ear parameters and grain yield, as well as genotypes, a biplot analysis was conducted to explore multivariate associations between the examined variables. The importance of the acquired data is shown by the fact that the first two axes together explained 99.2% of the variation. Acute angles that overlapped the vectors of the investigated traits indicated that there were positive correlations between them, which is also consistent with the reported correlation study (Figures 5 and 6). By comparing the values of the first (Dim1) and second (Dim2) principal components of PCA for ear parameters and grain yield, as well as genotypes, a biplot analysis was conducted to explore multivariate associations between the examined variables. The importance of the acquired data is shown by the fact that the first two axes together explained 99.2% of the variation. Acute angles that overlapped the vectors of the investigated traits indicated that there were positive correlations between them, which is also consistent with the reported correlation study (Figures 5 and 6).

Point Distribution of Genotype and Environmental Share: Markers of Genotype Stability
An assessment of the stability of different wheat genotypes, in terms of their grain yield and grain yield components, provides valuable information about genotype adaptation to specific environments, such as environments with increased soil salinity [25,37,38]. The results of this three-year experiment showed the extremely complex nature of the tested traits of phenotypic variation, which were considered components of the wheat grain yield. Besides the high level of monitored phenotypic characteristics in the tested cultivars, the stability of their reaction was also observed. However, when discussing stable reaction, i.e., the level of genotype × environment interaction, it is necessary to emphasize that this interaction was observed in two ways. A low level of genotype × environment interaction was observed and evaluated favorably, with the highest mean value of the observed trait, which indicated stability. At the same time, the nature of this interaction at high level was also assessed in cases where a marked change in rank occurred ("cross over" interaction). This was because the experiment was set up in the conditions of control and two levels of solonetz repair, so in some cases the high

Point Distribution of Genotype and Environmental Share: Markers of Genotype Stability
An assessment of the stability of different wheat genotypes, in terms of their grain yield and grain yield components, provides valuable information about genotype adaptation to specific environments, such as environments with increased soil salinity [25,37,38]. The results of this three-year experiment showed the extremely complex nature of the tested traits of phenotypic variation, which were considered components of the wheat grain yield. Besides the high level of monitored phenotypic characteristics in the tested cultivars, the stability of their reaction was also observed. However, when discussing stable reaction, i.e., the level of genotype × environment interaction, it is necessary to emphasize that this interaction was observed in two ways. A low level of genotype × environment interaction was observed and evaluated favorably, with the highest mean value of the observed trait, which indicated stability. At the same time, the nature of this interaction at high level was also assessed in cases where a marked change in rank occurred ("cross over" interaction). This was because the experiment was set up in the conditions of control and two levels of solonetz repair, so in some cases the high level of genotype × environment interaction indicated a favorable reaction of the cultivar to land reclamation measures. Therefore, in addition to accepting a stable reaction at average trait values higher than the average of the experiment, some cases of so-called unstable reaction were evaluated as favorable, if that reaction meant that the cultivar reacted violently to land reclamation measures by increasing the mean value of the observed trait. In that way, cultivars with low interaction and stable reaction to variation of agro-ecological conditions were separated. This research confirms that the local population, Banatka, and the ancient variety, Bankut 1205, have successfully adapted to 3S, which accords with Gharib, et al. [39], who found that local populations and old varieties of wheat could be a useful genetic resource for increasing genetic variability and specific adaptation to 3S conditions, as well as suitable parental material in breeding programs.
Still, a priori is not dismissed without detailed analysis, as with any reaction that would be assessed as unstable and unfavorable in normal growing conditions. The aspiration follows, from the above, to obtain the most complete and realistic variation scores, as well as the source of the experiment variation, especially on the level and the nature of genotype × environment interaction. This would describe the total or average stability of the genotype, so it is of utmost importance to analyze the complex nature of genotype × environment interaction in more details. Over the last few decades, several studies have been carried out to understand plant biology in response to 3S, with a major emphasis on genetic and other hereditary components [9,12,29]. Based on the outcome of these studies, several approaches are being followed, to enhance plants' ability to tolerate salt stress while still maintaining reasonable levels of crop yields [40,41]. This research indicates the importance of studying the correlations between yield components and wheat grain yield in 3S, which is in accordance with Matković Stojšin, et al. [42].
The complex nature of genotype × environment interaction was reflected in the large number of interaction axes, i.e., main axes from the main components analysis, which were applied in the AMMI model for more detailed analysis of genotype × environment interaction. The larger number of main interaction axes, which proved to be statistically significant, meant that the variance of the genotype × environment interaction was influenced by several agronomically significant and explanatory sources of variation. Due to this, the tested yield components showed a genotype × environment interaction that could not be explained only by the first interaction axis (IPCA 1 ).

The External Environment: Sculptor of Genetic Expression of Examined Traits
The ear mass showed a great dependence on the action of environmental factors, as the genetic share in the phenotypic variation was not high, nor the calculated heritability. This result was expected, given the distinct quantitative basis of this wheat yield componentfor the expression of which, polygene groups are responsible-but also its dependence on grain mass per ear and number of grains per ear. The genotypes had the lowest averages of ear mass in microclimate condition A, regardless of treatment. Although this season was characterized by certain deviations in terms of climatic parameters, it was still observed as a whole, and had more favorable climate conditions. This resulted in a reduction of the differences in genotype response to the measures of solonetz repair for the ear mass. However, the average values of ear mass had a tendency to increase from control to treatment, with 50 t × ha −1 of phosphogypsum. The effect of reclamation measures was absent in the third vegetation season, because the highest average value of ear mass was obtained on the control variant of solonetz (x = 1.8 g). Thus, during the second vegetation season, the highest average value of this trait was achieved (x = 1.9 g on treatment with 50 t × ha −1 of phosphogypsum). This indicated that the high average value of the ear mass in such conditions could only be achieved due to the favorable reaction of genotypes to the measures of solonetz repair. Similar results were obtained by Ljubičić, et al. [43], who found that the basic source of ear mass variation is reclamation measure.
Ear mass stability analysis showed that there were differences between the genotypes, which were quantified by a statistically highly significant value of mean squares of genotype × environment interaction. However, the distribution points of the genotypes, and considerable agro-ecological environments that were more scattered by abscissa than by ordinate on the biplot, could lead to the conclusion that variation of the additive part of the total variance was more pronounced than the multivariate for the ear mass. This resulted in a stable reaction of almost all genotypes for the ear mass. Measures to repair solonetz contributed to the increase in stability and the decrease in interaction values. The highest genotype × environment interaction was observed in triticale cultivar Odisej, so this genotype was characterized as the least stable, which is consistent with the results of Purchase, et al. [44].
The grain mass per ear was characterized by low heritability and significant phenotypic variation, depending on the variation of environmental factors. The lower genotype × environment interaction of this trait was a good basis for selection for stable wheat yield. By analyzing the grain mass per ear, a high variability of this wheat yield component could be noticed, in relation to the examined microclimate conditions and different phosphogypsum treatments. The grain mass per ear showed complex genotype × environment interaction, whereby it was possible to group genotypes according to stability. The highest average values of grain mass per ear (x = 1.5 g on treatment with 50 t × ha −1 of phosphogypsum) were achieved by genotypes in the season when the most unfavorable environmental conditions prevailed, especially in stages crucial for ear formation and grain filling. Differences in the mean values of the examined trait during different vegetation seasons were in accordance with the previous results, where the speed and completeness of the flowering, pollination and fertilization processes were determined by environmental conditions, above all by temperatures and humidity [26,45]. Microclimate condition A did not favor the development of grain mass per ear, as with the ear mass, just as the solonetz repair measures did not have a significant impact. However, the AMMI analysis determined that this season, in all three variants of the experiment, was the most favorable for achieving a stable reaction for grain mass per ear. In the same location, seed yield was tested, and its expression, controlled with multiple genes and traits, suffered decrease, compared to non-stressed conditions [26]. The great influence of the external environment on the grain mass per ear, and the number of grains per ear, has been confirmed by the research of [43,46], as has the high difference between the phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation, especially for grain mass per ear, indicating the greater influence of the environment. Dimitrijević, et al. [47], Knežević, et al. [16], Knežević, et al. [17], and Matković Stojšin, et al. [48], found a high share of the environment in the variation of grain mass per ear. Similar results were obtained by Matković Stojšin, et al. [42], for ear mass.
For both examined traits, values of genetic variance were almost equal to values of environmental variance. The consequence of this phenomenon was low heritability of these yield components, which could indicate that environmental factors could be attributed as epigenetics. Testing genotypes under abiotic stress is critical, because it allows researchers to analyze their first response to a particular situation, i.e., to primary stress [49]. Assessment of a genotype's tolerance to abiotic stress, in situ, is of great importance for forming a realistic picture because, in addition to 3S, all other abiotic factors also affect the plant [42,[50][51][52].
When genotypes are tested at different phases of development, determining the response to primary stress makes sense. Better epigenetic mechanisms, which allow them to recall stress, are defined by varieties that respond best to primary stress with the least harm in the early stages of development, and then give the same response to the source of abiotic stress in the later stages of development. Because genotypes are not formed for specific growing circumstances, this response is not encoded in their genetic code, so it is hypothesized that DNA methylation and/or histone modification are responsible for this reaction, which is the focus of new research. In this research, phenotypic evaluation of genotypes was carried out at various phases of development, in order to show that genotypes with the best assessment of primary stress had the greatest mean values of the attributes studied in the whole physiological maturity phase.
Through three separate stages of plant cultivation, the memory of stress at the vertical level was examined in this experiment. This brings up the prospect of answering the question: "Can a seed remember?"-that is to say-"Can epigenetic factors be fixed in the genome?"-which will be a good parent for developing new genetic variability specific for growing under stressful conditions.

Conclusions
In experiments where the interaction of climate conditions, soil conditions and appropriate treatments is examined, it is important to consider the genetic potential of selected cultivars and factors that interfere. This is particularly important if the environmental conditions are the sources of abiotic stress as well, because this gives a clearer picture of the potential breeding usability of the cultivars. In this investigation, the stability of wheat genotypes, grown in the stressful conditions of solonetz soil type and steppe microclimate, was assessed. By comparing the results that analyzed genotypes had on the control treatment (without application of phosphogypsum) with the results that genotypes achieved on the treatments with phosphogypsum, potential gene donors for the creation of new genetic variability were selected from the existing germplasm.
Regardless of treatment, the genotypes in microclimate A had the lowest averages of ear mass. The genotype Odisej, on solonetz reclaimed by 50 t × ha −1 of phosphogypsum, in microclimate B, recorded the greatest ear mass values. Agro-ecological factors significantly controlled how ear mass was expressed. Genotypes Banatka, Renesansa, Rapsodija and Simonida demonstrated the most stable reactions. The effect of the applied amelioration measure depended on the meteorological conditions of the growing season. On solonetz reclaimed by 25 t × ha −1 and 50 t × ha −1 of phosphogypsum, in microclimate C, the genotypes showed the highest stability. It was found that the local population, Banatka, and the ancient variety, Bankut 1205, had successfully adapted to 3S, and that they could be good parents for new wheat cultivars for growing under those conditions. In all of the experiment's versions, microclimate B produced the greatest average values of grain mass per ear and the lowest average values of the coefficient of variation. In the microclimate A, solonetz reclaimed by 25 t × ha −1 of phosphogypsum came out as the ideal setting for obtaining a stable reaction of the genotypes. The most stable genotypes were Rapsodija and Renesansa. In less favorable circumstances, under 3S, genotype Simonida produced one of the most steady reactions for grain mass per ear.
The results obtained by this research may be important for the further process of creating stable wheat genotypes, both for 3S conditions and abiotic stress in general.