Evaluation of exotic barley genotypes for adaptation, yield and its component traits under irrigated conditions of North West India

Abstract

Field evaluation of 24 exotic barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes for adaptation, yield and its component traits along with two national checks BH946 (six-row) and DWRUB52 (two-row) was carried out at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India under irrigated conditions over two crop seasons 2014-15 and 2015-16. Temperature and precipitation prevailing during two crop seasons significantly influenced all the parameters except grains per spike, ear length and 1000-grain weight. High rainfall resulted in significant crop lodging (20-100% lodging) during year 2014-15 in genotypes IBYT 2, 5, 6, 11, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 24 and check BH946 which caused significant yield reduction. High temperature during 2015-16 caused significant reduction in phenological stages such as days to heading, days to maturity in all genotypes. Grain filling period, which is major factor responsible for bold grains, also reduced in all the genotypes except IBYT 1, 2 and 23. Two entries, IBYT 14 and IBYT 21 were significantly earlier in heading than the best check DWRUB52 (94.3 days) by 5 days and 3 days, respectively. Exotic genotype IBYT4 is also a short-stature (96.3 cm height) genotypes, performed well for tiller number per meter, grains per spike and ear length. Genotype IBYT 18 possessed desirable values for grains per spike and 1000-grain weight. All exotic genotypes produced significantly lower grain yield (2.1-4.3 t/ ha) than check DWRUB52 (4.9 t/ha). Six exotic genotypes (IBYT 18, IBYT 5, IBYT 7, IBYT 20, IBYT 21 and IBYT 23) with grain yield at par with check BH946 (3.9 t/ha) were identified and may be used in breeding programme for widening the genetic base of six rowed barley germplasm.