Ajit Singh Kharub

GGE biplot analysis of multi-locational yield trials and identification of representative environments for barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in India

The present study was carried out to ascertain the genotype × environment crossovers, stable genotypes and to select the discriminating and representative environments using GGE biplot in barley. The pooled per se grain yield ranged from 22.77 to 50.16 q/ha, across the locations. Nine locations were grouped into four mega environments and the genotypes viz., RD 2830, RD 2552, BH 902 and PL 751, etc. which were exhibited as vertex genotypes. The locations Tabiji and Kanpur (−0.67) followed by Navgaon and Kanpur (−0.58), Faizabad and Ranchi (−0.35), etc. were found negatively correlated. The locations, namely, S. K. Nagar, Navgaon, Tabiji and Faizabad were most discriminating and representative over the environments.

Identification of barley genotypes with higher protein content coupled with bold grains for food and malt barley improvement under sub-tropical climates

Identification of barley genotypes with higher protein content coupled with bold grains for food and malt barley improvement under sub-tropical climates Dinesh Kumar*, RPS Verma1, Sneh Narwal, Jogendra Singh, Vishnu Kumar, Ajit Singh Kharub and Gyanendra Pratap Singh ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal -132 001, India 1International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas , Rabat, Morocco

Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction and yield stability index for genotype by environment analysis and wider adaptability in Barley

Genotype by environment interaction distorts genetic analysis, changes relative ranking of genotypes and a major obstruction for varietal release. AMMI model is a quick and relevant tool to judge environmental behaviour and genotypic stability in comparison to ANOVA, multiplicative model and linear regressions. We evaluated 19 barley genotypes grown at 08 diverse locations to identify discriminating environments and ideal genotypes with dynamic stability. In AMMI ANOVA, the locations and genotype by environment interaction exhibited 66% and 14.7% of the total variation. The initial first two principal components showed significant interaction with 36.0 and 28.4% variation, respectively. AMMI1 biplot showed that the environments Bawal, Ludhiana and Durgapura were high yielding with high IPCA1 scores and located far away from the biplot origin. However, in AMMI1and AMMI2 biplots the locations Hisar, Ludhiana, Karnal, Bathinda and Modipuram were found suitable with low IPCA2 scores. Yield stability index (YSI) was highly useful with ASV ranks and the genotypes DWRB150 and BH1013 and checks BH902, DWRUB52 and DWRB101 were selected for high grain yield and wider adaptability across the locations.

Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the primitive and oldest domesticated cereals and preferred by gladiators due to its nutritional properties. Primarily this crop is used for feed and food purposes, whereas its enzymatic and husk properties make it unique for malting and brewing purposes. Barley is known to be a climate resilient crop and can thrive well under adverse conditions of cultivation. In some regions of the world, where winter crops like wheat are difficult to be grown or their cultivation is uneconomical due to the harsh climatic conditions and/or problematic soils, barley is the only option to sustain the populace of these regions. In India, this is generally grown under rainfed conditions where this crop uses the residual moisture efficiently. Despite the fact that barley is endowed with resilience to harsh climates, several abiotic stress factors inhibit the performance of the crop to its fullest genetic potential. Some of these stresses are drought, salinity and alkalinity, water logging, lodging, etc. Morphological and physiological traits linked to drought resistance in barley are early growth vigour, root development, tillering, grain weight, stay green habit, leaf water potential, stomata size, membrane stability, leaf rolling, waxiness, leaf temperature, carbon isotope discrimination and the accumulation of metabolites such as proline and betaine. Breeders have resorted to the development of semidwarf barley varieties through incorporation of dwarfing genes and to enhance stem strength to minimize the risk of lodging. Field screening for tolerance to salinity or alkalinity has not been very reliable; therefore, field screening supplemented with laboratory screening has been advocated in barley to breed varieties tolerant to salinity or alkalinity.

Trends of Seed Production, Varietal Scenario and Future Prospects in Barley

Agriculture is one of the prime sectors in Indian economy and more than 58 per cent of the Indian population depends upon agriculture for their livelihood. However, with this quantum of population dependency, agriculture contributions were 13.9% during 2013-14, while compared with industry (26.1%) and service (59.9%) sectors, respectively (Chauhan et al., 2016). Seed is the most crucial input in agriculture to deliver technological interventions for enhancing crop production and ensuring livelihood security. The success of other factors is greatly dependent upon quality seed for a good harvest. Seed being a key factor for higher productivity, its production, supply and quality aspects are always prime concern for sustainable growth and achieving food security (Manjunatha et al., 2013). For yield maximization and enhancing net profit in barley like other cereals, quality seed production and availability is the first and utmost requirement for long term gain realization. The seed indents and supply are integral parts for the higher productivity for any crop, therefore the presented study was undertaken to analyse the recent barley breeder seed production trends of indented varieties for future prospects.

Genotypic and growing location effect on grain β-glucan content of barley under sub-tropical climates

Effect of genotype and growing location on barley grain beta glucan content was studied in 25 barley genotypes grown over six different locations in India. Based upon the two years results, the genotypes BCU 554, BH 963, BHS 352 and DWR 30 were having higher content of beta glucan while the genotypes Azad, BCU2030, Bilara-2, Jagriti, K 14, K 141, Lakhan, Manjula, SLOOP SA WI 3167 and SLOOP VIC VB 9953 had lower values. The growing location has also been found to affect the beta glucan content significantly. Positive simple correlation has been found between grain beta glucan content and protein, 1000 grain weight, plump kernels and test weight.