Assessment of the phenotypic purity and disease prevalence of improved barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds collected from different sources from South and Central Ethiopia

Abstract: Barley is one of the major cereal crops grown in the high lands of Ethiopia that serves as sources of food and income. Despite its usage, the national average yield is still very low as compared to its potential due to lack of quality seed that is mainly caused by losses of phenotypic purity are the major biotic constraints on barley production. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the phenotypic purity and diseases prevalence of improved barley seeds collected from different sources in South and central Ethiopia. The assessment was done at six zones and two agricultural research centers of major barley growing areas of South and Central Ethiopia. The field experiment was conducted at Werabe agricultural research center experimental station in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The treatments were arranged based on varieties and its seed classes. True to type and seed testing standard was used as standard check. The study found that the majority of farmers used HB1307 (70.4%), followed by Ibon174/03 (16%) and HB42 (13.6%). Grow-out tests revealed that both collected samples and standard checks lacked phenotypic purity, containing mixtures of different cultivars. Off-type rates in nucleus seeds were 2.4% for HB1307, 3% for HB42, and 2% for Ibon174/03, with additional contamination from other varieties. Higher seed classes, such as nucleus and breeder seeds, demonstrated better purity and lower disease incidence than standard seed classes. The findings highlight the need for stricter national seed quality control and suggest further multi-seasonal studies to validate results and guide policy improvements. Keywords: Barley seed classes, grow out test, phenotypic purity. Title: Assessment of the phenotypic purity and disease prevalence of improved barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds collected from different sources from South and Central Ethiopia Author: Asgelesh Fesseha, Muluneh Mekiso, Mitku Kebede, Denur Awel International Journal of Novel Research in Life Sciences ISSN 2394-966X Vol. 12, Issue 5, September 2025 – October 2025 Page No: 18-24 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 20-October-2025 ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9641-1602 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17391264 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/Assessment%20of%20the%20phenotypic%20purity%20and%20disease%20prevalence-20102025-1.pdf