Results of barley breeding for lodging resistance at the Altai Research Institute of Agriculture

Abstract

More than 100 thousand ha of barley crops are grown in the east of the Altai Region in the areas with relatively fertile soils and medium and fair moisture supply. Potential yield in this region may reach 5.0-6.0 t ha. Lodging resistance is one of the main limiting factors of high yielding capacity. The development of varieties with low plant height is the most efficient method to enhance lodging resistance. Since 2008, more than 300 crosses with lodging resistant varieties were made to develop lodging resistant varieties with low plant height. More than 14000 F₁ hybrid seeds were derived. As a result, advanced lines from segregating populations were created by individual selection. Seven lines characterized by low plant height and lodging resistance were identified by competitive variety trail in three years. The yields of the best lines varied from 6.05 (L.-131/19) to 6.72 t ha (L.-103/19). The maximum yield gain amounted to 1.58 t ha (30.7%) as compared to the standard variety Signal. Advanced breeding lines were characterized by lesser ear grain content but higher tilling capacity and thousand-kernel weight as compared to the standard. The accessions L.-147/18 (Nord 08/11 × Vorsinskiy 2), L.-241/18 (L.-54/07 × Philadelphia), L.-256/18 (L.-9/02 × Annabel), L.-103/19 (Sasha × Danuta), L.-123/19 (L.-9/02 × JB Flavour), L.-131/19 (Annabel × Getman), L.-171/19 (Chill × JB Flavour) exceeded the standard by the complex of characters. A brief characterization of promising breeding lines is presented.