Analysis of grain yield stability and quality traits of malt barley genotypes under terminal moisture-stressed environments of North Wollo

Abstract

Fifteen malt barley genotypes, along with the standard check (Miscal 21), were evaluated at Geregera, Kon and Estayish testing sites of Sirinka Agricultural Research Centre during 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons, with the objectives of evaluating the performance of malt barley genotypes for grain yield, yield stability and grain quality traits. The experiment was carried out using Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD), replicated three times. Data were recorded and subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using Genstat 18^th software package. Analysis of Genotype by Environment Interaction (GEI) was carried out using Additive Main effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) model. ANOVA depicted significant variations among malt barley genotypes for all the traits considered. AMMI1 and AMMI2 analyses plainly assigned genotypes and environments in biplots graphs. G6 (Libra T95/Diamalt) and G11 (E.Acacia/ Defra//Atah92/Gob) were plotted at the far right hand side of the AMMI1 biplot graph, indicating their best performance in grain yield over the rest of the tested malt barley genotypes. G6 was plotted with Geregera 2014 and Kon 2014 environments while G11 was plotted with Estayish 2014 in AMMI2 biplot graph, showing their specific adaptability to the environments where they were plotted with. However, G11 was found susceptible to scald and was excluded from further evaluation. On the other hand, G6 was advanced to variety verification trial and evaluated for agronomic and quality traits at North and South Wollo major barley growing areas in 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons. G6 yielded above average grain yield and fulfilled the minimum TKW, HLW, PC and EC quality standards, and was relatively tolerant to Scald and Net Bloch diseases. Therefore, G6 (Libra T95/Diamalt) was found superior to the rest of the tested malt barley genotypes for both agronomic and malt quality traits under terminal moisture-stressed barley growing areas of North Wollo and similar environments, and officially released by the National Variety Releasing Committee (NVRC) for commercial production in 2019 cropping season with a local name "Waro".

Key words/phrases: AMMI, GEI, Grain quality, Malt barley