Stability of Barley Genotypes for Earliness, Resistance to Leaf Scald Disease and Yield in Ethiopia

Due to the unpredictable rainfall pattern and shorter growing seasons experienced in recent years in Ethiopia, early-maturing barley (Hordeum vulgare) genotypes are preferred by farmers in order to escape moisture stress and to bridge the critical food shortage that occurs in September. However, early-maturing genotypes are usually susceptable to leaf scald disease. Therefore, genotypes that can confer both scald resistance and early maturity are desired. The Barley Core Collection (BCC) was chosen for this study because of its high variability in resistance, maturity, and other aspects. Based on 2004/05 data, 36 genotypes have been selected for study, representing a wide range of maturity and response to scald disease. These genotypes will be tested for scald, maturity and yield in both diseased and protected plots in 3 locations, to test their stability over environments, and to determine the relationship between earliness and scald response.