Study on variability in resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV-PAV) among Ethiopian barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) landraces

Abstract

Ethiopian barley landraces are recognized as an important genetic resource with which to search for tolerance to biotic stresses. Five hundred eighty five barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) landraces collected from 13 barley producing zones of Ethiopia were evaluated for resistance to BYDV serotype PAV under field conditions at Sinana and Goba during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. The trial was laid out in an augmented design consisting of six blocks. Data on disease incidence, severity and some agronomic traits were recorded. The result of analysis showed highly significant variations among landraces for disease incidence, severity and agronomic traits. The BYDV incidence and severity varied from 0.0 to 45.3% and 12.0 to 58.0%, respectively. Similarly, the variations among landraces in terms of regions of origin, altitude classes and kernel row number were significant. Landraces originated from Arsi, Gojam, Bale and Gonder had significantly lower disease incidence and severity levels than others. Furthermore, landraces collected from altitude class IV (above 2500m) and those with 6-row and irregular kernel type had lower disease severity. Segregation in infection was observed in some landraces due to a reduction of disease severity and 68 landraces showing lowest disease severity were selected. The resistant landraces identified in the present investigation can be utilized as good resource for barley improvement program targeting BYDV, which subsequently will help to incorporate the resistant genes into several elite backgrounds of barley.