Estimation of winter barley varieties according to productivity and adaptability indicators in the conditions of the Lower Don

Abstract

Currently winter barley breeding is aimed at developing high-yielding varieties that are adaptive to the challenges of nature. In addition to the characteristics of the variety and environmental conditions, productivity is greatly influenced by a forecrop. The purpose of the current study was to determine the adaptive properties of winter barley varieties according to productivity and adaptability indicators in the conditions of the Lower Don. In order to study this issue, in 2020–2022 there was carried out a study to estimate the adaptability parameters of 20 winter barley varieties developed by the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy” according to various forecrops (black fallow, peas, sunflower). The plot area was 10 m2, with 4 repetitions and seeding rate of 450 germ.seed/m2. In order to determine indicators of homeostaticity (Hom), breeding value (Sc), stress resistance (Ymin–Ymax) and genetic flexibility ((Ymax+Ymin)/2), coefficient of responsiveness to favorable growing conditions (Kp) and index of variety stability level (VSL) there were applied the methods of V. V. Khangildin and N. A. Litvinenko, A. A. Rosielle and J. Hamblina, V. A. Zykin, E. D. Nettevich. The conducted analysis has shown that on average over the years of study for all forecrops, the largest productivity was given by such varieties as ‘Marusya’, ‘Step’, ‘Pallidum 2100’. Also, for all forecrops, there have been identified the varieties characterized with high parameters of environmental adaptability and stability. The stable varieties were ‘Parallelum 2016’ and ‘Parallelum 2017’, which could be recommended for use in the breeding process as sources of high stress resistance, genotype value, and low variability of productivity. The varieties ‘Marusya’, ‘Step’ and ‘Pallidum 2100’ belong to the adaptable group, the productivity dynamics of these varieties corresponded to changes in growing conditions, and in order to obtain maximum productivity, there has been recommended to cultivate them after intensive forecrops.