ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED QUANTITATIVE TRAITS IN A GROUP OF SPRING BARLEY GENOTYPES OF DIVERSE ORIGINS UNDER TRANSYLVANIAN PLATEAU CONDITIONS

The success of a breeding program is closely linked to the variability of morpho-productive traits of interest and their stability in interaction with biotic and abiotic factors. This study evaluated 15 genotypes of spring barley originating from eight countries, including two varieties developed at ARDS Turda (Romania), focusing on key production elements. Given the ongoing changes in environmental conditions, breeders are increasingly interested in varieties with stable yields. Notable genotypes in this regard include RGT Planet, Isaria, Romanița, Turdeana, Avalon, Nimrooz, Quilmes Carisma, Quilmes Alfa, and Tanai. For enhancing resistance to lodging through reduced plant height, the cultivars Rocaforte, RGT Planet, Maja, Avalon, Quilmes Alfa, and Quilmes Carisma are recommended for inclusion in future hybridization programs. We recommend the use of these cultivars in a complex hybridization system to optimize their potential as parent lines.