Assessment of barley varieties as potential pollen-parents for F1 — hybrid varieties

Abstract

The choice of male parents for an F1-hybrid barley variety depends upon a number of characteristics, among which will be the combining ability for yield, the transference of disease resistance and the ability to release large quantities of viable pollen to ensure a high set of F1 -hybrid seed on the male-sterile Une.A number of cultivars were assessed as potential pollen parents using a common male-sterile variety. Various experimental methods to assess the potential of male parents were used at locations in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Western Europe over a period of three years. Significant differences were demonstrated between the cross-pollinating ability of varieties; 'good' pollinators gave consistent results. A marked effect of crossing-block size was found and there was also some evidence of environmental interactions.