Productivity and adaptive properties of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in arid conditions of the Lower Volga region of Russia ​

Abstract

The difficulty of growing spring barley in the Lower Volga region is associated with the arid climate. The selection of barley varieties from the seeds offered on the market contributed to their environmental testing and assessment of adaptability in a dry climate. The purpose of the study is to conduct an environmental test of spring barley varieties to assess their yield and adaptive qualities. Environmental test 2020-2022 has showed that the tested varieties are stable and capable of producing grain. This is evidenced by the results of the dry year 2022 and the environmental index Iij = -0.6, the crop grain yield ranged from 0.45 to 2.82 t/ha. The highest average yield in the test was for the local selection varieties Novonikolaevsky 3.37 t/ha, Medikum 200-2.43 t/ha, and Kamyshinsky 23-2.18 t/ha. The variety Medicum 269 (2.02 t/ha) also stood out in terms of yield and stability. All productive varieties have an adaptability coefficient from 110 to 177. It has been established that variety has the greatest influence on grain yield in the technology of growing spring barley 58.5%, meteorological conditions 20.2%, agrotechnological measures 21.4%).