Effects of reduced plant height on breeding requirements and ...

arley quality parâmeters examined..
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The greatest problens with the shorter ¡naterial studÍed
were later headirrg and maturity, and <strong>reduced</strong> kernel size.
Thesê problens were most severe in the higher yielding 1Ínes.
?he i-nterre latíonshÍps among the other eharacteristics studied
were sometimes affected indirectly by <strong>reduced</strong> <strong>plant</strong> <strong>height</strong>"
It is suggested that a better balance among the yield
components <strong>of</strong> the higher yielding Lines is required i-n
order to neet the kernel size requirements <strong>of</strong> a good barley
sample. Given the ranges <strong>of</strong> each component in the l_irnited
sanple <strong>of</strong> short statured types studied, such a balance
should be ultirnately attainable by <strong>plant</strong> breeders. Maturity
characteristics <strong>of</strong> the serni-dwarfs fall into the same
category.
The greatest asset <strong>of</strong> the short material is its irnproved
straw strength, which should be particularfy valuable in the
areas most suited to barley production where high yields can
be achieved in the absence <strong>of</strong> lodging. fhe strong, short_
statured genotJfpes <strong>of</strong>fer j-ncreased stability <strong>of</strong> yie1d, even
withou-t advances in basic yie1d.
Conconi'bant with improved straw strength <strong>of</strong> short
statured genotypes in other cereal crops has been theÍr
ímproved ability to responcl to higher levels <strong>of</strong> fertility.
An experirnent was conducted over five station_years to com_
pare the responses <strong>of</strong> three semj,-dwarf and two standard