Variation of Some Winter Barley Quality Indices under Induced Drought

 Liliana Vasilescu¹, Eugen Petcu¹, Elena Petcu¹, Lidia Cană¹, Cătălin Lazăr¹, Alexandrina Sîrbu²

¹National Agricultural Research and Development Institute Fundulea

²Universitatea Constantin Brâncoveanu Râmnicu Vâlcea

Keywords: winter barley, quality indices, drought, desiccation.

Abstract: Within a set of 15 winter six and two rows barley genotypes (varieties and advanced lines), the variation of some quality parameters was caused by the use of a desiccant called potassium iodide (KI-0.4%), which led to the characterization of the grain quality indices, namely the one thousand kernel weight (TKW), protein and starch content. These induced drought conditions have provided results regarding their drought tolerance and the possibility of growing certain genotypes under restrictive water conditions that can register both high yield and appropriate grain quality parameters. The performed analysis of the results revealed significant differences between genotypes, in terms of the influence of treatment applied and also the interaction between genotype and treatment.
In the case of the one thousand kernel weight, the winter six rows barley varieties Lucian, Ametist, and Simbol were noticed, as well as the varieties with two rows Artemis and Gabriela.
Under the same testing conditions, the protein content and the starch content were not influenced by the genotype x treatment interaction and did not decrease below 9.5% and 60%, respectively (standards required by the malt and beer industry).
Results were obtained regarding the identification of valuable genetic resources for the translocation of assimilates in water limiting conditions for use as parents in the breeding program but also the characterization of varieties with reference to the high stability of grain weight and quality indices. These genotypes have a high content of carbohydrates in the stem and leave at the beginning of the grain-filling period but also a high rate of translocation to the grains.