Genetic resources of spring barley: screening for yield stability and grain malt quality traits

Abstract

The development of malting and brewing industry increased interest in selection of high quality malting barley initial material for breeding programmes. During 2002–2004, grain stability and malt quality characteristics of accessions from a spring barley genetic resources collection were investigated at the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture. The effects of the experimental year, genotype of variety or breeding line, and variety and year interactions on spring barley grain yield, grain >2.5 mm yield and extract yield were measured. Using the STABLE computer programme, selection of lines promising in terms of grain yield, grain >2.5 mm yield and extract yield, able to realize their genetic potential in various growing conditions was made. The highest sum of integral assessment of grain yield, grain >2.5 mm yield and extract yield was identified for the breeding lines 7955-5 (49+); 7939-1(46+); 7661-1; 7422-3 (36+); 7101-1 (34+); 7967-2 (20+). These breeding lines are characterized by a high grain yield, extract content, starch content, grain grading and low protein content. All these lines have been transferred to the Lithuanian Gene Bank for a long-term conservation. Part of them have been involved in the malting barley breeding programme. The breeding lines 7101-1 and 7967-2, which showed a high grain stability and were distinguished by grain quality and other agronomic traits were transferred to the Lithuanian Official Trials for testing. Keywords: spring barley, genetic resources, yield stability, malting quality traits