GENETIC-VARIABILITY FOR GRAIN-YIELD AND PROTEIN-CONTENT IN BARLEY AND ITS MODIFICATION BY NET BLOTCH

Protein content, yield and 1000-grain weight of healthy and net blotch-diseased plants were studied in a diallel cross programme concerning nine different varieties of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). F1 hybrids and their parents were grown in the field in two randomized block design experiments each with three replications (three inoculated and three noninoculated plots). General and specific combining abilities were determined for yield, protein percentage, 1000-grain weight, protein yield, and non-protein yield. A high genetic variability for the traits studied was observed. Non-protein yield and 1000-grain weight decreased significantly in inoculated plants where protein yield was not affected. Significant general and specific combining abilities were observed for all traits. Values for general and specific combining abilities were, in some cases, significantly modified by net blotch of barley. This indicates that attention must be paid to the danger of drawing conclusions in quantitative genetics studies dealing with both diseased and healthy plants.