Abstract
Increased agricultural production under the harsh environmental conditions with limited water resources and scarce natural resources is a major challenge in arid regions like Kuwait. The implementation of sustainable agricultural practices holds paramount importance in delivering better agricultural environment for increased production. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is one among the most dependable cereal crops under saline and drought conditions. Mutant barley genotypes that have evolved under stress conditions using the improved genetic resources have the desired morphological, physiological and agronomic traits. As Kuwait lack local barley genotypes, it is important to find suitable barley genotypes adaptable to drought and salinity, with high crop water productivity. In this study, several mutant barley varieties were screened for better performance under drought and salinity, with high feed quality. The growth performance and the nutritive value of twelve different barley cultivars were evaluated under both fresh and brackish water irrigation in Kuwait. The seeds of the superior lines were multiplied for fodder production trials and their nutritive value was evaluated in animal production systems. It was found that two parental lines Gustoe and California Marriot and two mutant barley genotypes ari-e.228 and Golden Promise produced high grain yield of 3 - 4 ton/ha. The mutant genotype Golden Promise was the most tolerant, while ari-e.156 was the most susceptible genotype to saline stress. Both proximate analysis and animal feeding trial showed that the dry matter content of the air dry straws varied from 91.26% to 93.35%. The crude fat contents were within the acceptable range (1.13% to 1.93%), and high concentrations of ash and crude protein were found in straw in all genotypes. Thus, the evolution of farming systems that are economically viable, competitive, sustainable and environmental friendly improves the production efficiency, productivity and product quality of various crops.
Highlights
The agricultural sector of Kuwait is facing several challenges, such as drought, heat stress, and soil salinities which lead to decreased crop production to a great extent
The effect of irrigation on the days to heading stage was studied in twelve different cultivars, and it was found that the type of irrigation water significantly affected the days to heading in the barley cultivars under study
The total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) of the water sample were 934 mg/l and 1.877 ms/cm respectively, which are in the acceptable range
Summary
The agricultural sector of Kuwait is facing several challenges, such as drought, heat stress, and soil salinities which lead to decreased crop production to a great extent. Insufficient freshwater resources for irrigation and lack of efficient soil and water management practices have affected the growth of agricultural production. Kuwait does not possess permanent surface water and underground freshwater resources. The quantity and quality of groundwater had been deteriorating. Excessive water use and poorly designed drainage systems are causing water logging and salinity in surface irrigation. Over 95% of its total feed requirement is of imported origin. A sustainable and economically viable crop production system is essential to increase the local food and feed production
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