Genotype-by-environment interaction of barley DH lines infected with Fusarium culmorum (W.G.Sm.) Sacc.

Abstract

Infection of plants by pathogens is a biotic environmental stress. Barley plants are infected, among others, by Fusarium culmorum—a pathogen affecting seedling, head, root and stem. The infection can result in reduced yield and grain quality. The aim of the study was to compare the reaction of inoculated and non-inoculated barley doubled haploids (DHs) with F. culmorum in various environments. Thirty-four genotypes were inoculated with an isolate of F. culmorum. The experiment was carried out over 6 years. Kernel weight per spike, 1000-kernel weight and percentage of plump kernels were observed in control and inoculated plants. Genotype-by-environment (GE) interaction and its structure with reference to the environments and genotypes were analysed. Additional information about the sensitivity of healthy and infected genotypes to environments was determined by the regression analysis. Statistical computation was made using the SERGEN software. Lines were considered as unstable when their GE interaction was significant at P = 0.05. Unstable genotypes were classified as intensive or extensive according to the results of the regression analysis. It was found that infection with Fusarium decreased the stability of barley lines in different environments. Interaction of unstable infected genotypes with environments, most often, could not be explained by the regression—their response to various environmental conditions appeared to be unpredictable. Selection of lines less susceptible to biotic and abiotic stresses was possible due to comparison of classification of healthy and infected lines, which was made based on their main effects and GE interaction.