Estimation of spring barley adaptability to the aridity of the Stavropol Territory according to the trait ‘1000-grain weight’

A necessary condition for the stable improvement of barley production in the country is the extension of crops, varieties which are most adapted to the conditions of the region, capable of providing a high and stable level of productivity under changing climatic conditions. Productivity is a complex quantitative indicator, which is formed by various yield structure elements, one of which is ‘1000-grain weight’. The purpose of the current study was to estimate adaptability of the spring barley samples of various geographical origins to the arid conditions of the Stavropol Territory according to the trait ‘1000-grain weight’ and their further use in breeding work. The objects of the study were 60 spring barley samples. In order to determine stability, there has been used a coefficient of variation (V %), ecological adaptability (bi), homeostaticity (Hom), and stress tolerance (Ymin–Ymax). On average, during 2016–2021, the trait ‘1000-grain weight’ among the varieties ranged from 35 to 50 grams. The maximum values of the trait ‘1000-grain weight’ were identified in the varieties ‘Victor’ (Russia) with 50.1g (+5.0% to the standard) and ‘Nutans 74840’ (Russia) with 49.7g (+4.2%). The varieties of the extensive type (bi = 0.49–0.86) ‘Nutans 74840’ (Russia), ‘Prikumsky 22’ (Russia), ‘Pri­kumsky 14’ (Russia) and the standard variety ‘Strannik’ were characterized with high stability (V = 5.9–9.8 %), stress tolerance (Ymin–Ymax= –8–11) and homeostaticity (Hom = 43.1–101.2). The varieties ‘Adapt’ (Ukraine), ‘Vodogray’ (Ukraine) and ‘Novonikolaevsky’ (Russia) responded to the weather improvement to a greater extent (bi = 1.21–1.59), but significantly reduced 1000-grain weight when it worsened (Ymin–Ymax = –17 –21). The varieties ‘Nutans 74840’ and ‘Strannik’ turned to be the most adaptive ones for the aridity of the Stavropol Territory, and therefore the best breeding material.