Ideotyping hydroponic barley variety in Morocco

Hydroponic systems offer a sustainable and water-efficient solution for forage production in arid regions, where traditional barley cultivation is increasingly constrained by water scarcity and soil degradation. This study aims to identify an optimal varietal ideotype for hydroponic barley by evaluating 480 elite barley lines under controlled hydroponic conditions in Morocco. Key selection criteria included kernel plumpness (>2.5 mm), test weight (> 65.5 kg/hl), thousand kernel weight (>54.3 g), and germination rates exceeding 63.3% by the fourth day of growth. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify the best-performing lines based on hydroponic fodder yield, protein content in seedlings and grains, and mineral matter composition. The results highlight four elite barley lines (8, 46, 52, and M9V5), with the brown-grain line M9V5 exhibiting superior green fodder production (17.26 kg/m²) and protein content (16%). These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing hydroponic barley production to support sustainable livestock farming in Morocco mainly in arid regions.