Characterization Barley Genotypes Adaptability to Semi-Arid Environment

Barley is the fourth largest grain crop globally and used for food and feed.It is necessary to evaluate those germplasm responses and stabilities under agricultural practices of respected geographical regions before. A set of 32 new barley genotypes were evaluated under desert environments to identify superior genotypes based on their agro-morphological characters and molecular markers diversity. In general, the developed Saudi barley lines were superior to the landraces and checks cultivars for several traits. The KSU-BR-G121/L-4 line had the highest grain yield and harvest index in the second season, while the inbred line KSU-BR-C/G-2 had the highest grain yield and harvest index in the first season. The line KSU-BR-40-18-4 had the highest grain protein content 15.24 and 15.12 (six row). The two-row ICARDA line (Carina/Moroc9-75) had the highest grain and flour protein, 17.63 and 13.74 respectively. The barley inbred lines revealed a considerable diversity level based on agro-phenotypic and molecular characterization indicating the possibility to improve for semi-arid conditions. The introduction of novel Saudi barley lines and more comprehensive use of genetic resources could be important tool to increase the genetic variability within Saudi barley breeding programs.