Assessment of productive potential and agroecological adaptability of winter barley genotypes to cultivation conditions in the Republic of Moldova

The present study presents research results on the productivity and agroecological adaptability evaluation of five new winter barley genotypes under the conditions of various agro-climatic zones of Moldova during 2022-2024. Indicators contributing to agroecological adaptability were studied, such as the relative yield index, genotype responsiveness to favorable years, and degree of yield depression. It was established that the average genotypic grain yield across the country ranged from 3.62 t/ha (southern zone) to 8.12 t/ha (central zone), with an average across zones of 6.48 t/ha. Calculations of genotype responsiveness showed high values, ranging from 65.28% (Excelent) to 74.69% (HVM 018), indicating high potential for yield increase under favorable conditions. The degree of yield depression among genotypes did not vary significantly, ranging between 53.37% (HVU 021) and 57.73% (HVR 021). Agroecological adaptability of all studied genotypes was in the positive segment, varying from 8.29% (Excelent) to 18.74% (HVG 020). Genotypes HVM 08 and HVG 020 showed high adaptability, HVR 021 and HVM 021 showed moderate adaptability, and the control variety Excelent showed low adaptability.