Coleoptile length of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars

Abstract

Coleoptile length is related to maximum seeding depth. The coleoptile length of 44 spring barley cultivars (Hordeum vulgare L.) was determined by laying seeds on moistened filter paper and incubating at 15°C for 13 days. Significant differences in coleoptile length were noted between cultivars (P < 0.05). Most cultivars had a coleoptile length between 60 and 80 mm. Five cultivars (Buloke, Dash, Harrington, Morrell and Tallon) had a coleoptile length shorter than 60 mm. Seven cultivars (CM72, Doolup, Finniss, Fleet, Hannan, Haruna Nijo and Macumba) had a coleoptile length longer than 80 mm. No relationship was found between early growth habit or plant height and coleoptile length. The impact of different dwarfing genes on coleoptile length was discussed. Differences in coleoptile length observed should be exploited by breeders to improve the tolerance of barley to deep seeding and stubble retention. This would be a useful tool in managing climate variability and would assist barley growers to sow closer to the optimum sowing time in situations where moisture is present at depth but not on the soil surface.