Genetic potential and yield components of winter barley

Abstract

The experiment was established in the experimental field at the experimental field of Secondary Agricultural-chemical school “Dr Djordje Radic” in Kraljevo (Serbia) during the 2009/10 and 2010/11 growing seasons. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of genotype and environment on the yield of winter barley cultivars (Rekord, Grand, NS 565 and Atlas). The following characteristics were analysed: grain yield, 1000 grain weight and test weight. The grain yield of the studied genotypes of winter barley ranged from 4.340 t/ha (2009/10) to 5.217 t/ha (2010/01), while the average grain yield was 4.779 t/ha. The highest two-year average of 1000 grain weight (50.22 g) were obtained by NS 565 cultivar. The largest two-year average value of test weight was found in the cultivar Rekord (69.25 kg/hl). The average value of all genotypes was 66.78 kg/hl. Highly significant influence of the year on grain yields and 1000 grain weight were established at investigated winter barley cultivars by variance analysis, while genotype influence on 1000-grain weight and test weight was significant. Significant differences in 1000-grain weight at investigated barley cultivars were found relative to the interaction of environmental factors and cultivars. In view of the ever-changing climate change and the global warming trend, barley production is becoming increasingly risky and unstable. In such circumstances, there is a need for the creation of varieties, which in addition to good agronomic qualities, will be characterized by high and stable yields.