Abstract
Long-term cultivar trial data were used to estimate the genetic contribution to yield improvement in spring cereals in Finland in 1920–1988. Genetic gains were evaluated by comparing widely grown varieties with long-time check cultivars. Barley yields did not clearly increase, while oat and spring wheat yields improved by 35% and 30%, respectively. The average annual genetic yield increase for oats was 0.49–0.56% and for spring wheat 0.38–0.45%. These results indicate that plant breeding has successfully increased oat and spring wheat yields in Finland, but barley breeding has been less productive.