Response of barley genotypes to non-saline and saline environments

Abstract

A 2-year study (1976–7) was conducted at the Safford Agricultural Center, Safford, Arizona, U.S.A. to investigate the response of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes to both non-saline and saline environments. The soil type was a Grabe clay loam. One area had received only river irrigation water for the previous 10 years and throughout the experiment (non-saline environment); another area had been irrigated with only well water for the previous 10 years and throughout the experiment (saline environment). Analysis of the two sources of irrigation water showed that total soluble salts (TDS) and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) were much higher in well water than in river water. Consequently, the electrical conductivity of the saturation extract, total salt content, and exchangeable sodium percentage were all much higher in soil irrigated with well water (saline environment) than in soil irrigated with river water (non-saline environment). Fifteen barley genotypes were grown in each year. The following data were recorded for each genotype each year: (1) plant height, (2) lodging, (3) number of heads per hill, (4) number of seeds per head, (5) seed weight, (6) grain yield, (7) straw yield, (8) grain-to-straw ratio, (9) days from planting to flowering, and (10) days from flowering to maturity. Most of the barley genotypes germinated more uniformly, grew better, and produced more forage and grain in the non-saline environment than they did in the saline environment. It required a longer period for barley to reach maturity in the saline environment than it did in the non-saline environment. Combined data for the 2 years gave positive correlations between grain yield and plant height, number of heads per unit area, and straw yield in both non-saline and saline environments. Since there were significant differences between barely genotypes in a number of growth and yield characteristics in both environments, it should be possible to develop improved barley cultivars for both non-saline and saline environments using plant breeding techniques.