Field evaluation of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes derived from tissue culture

Somaclonal variation has been observed in plants derived via tissue culture in a number of crops, but evaluation has been on a small scale. This study was conducted to evaluate 72 tissue culture-derived barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes for somaclonal variation in replicated small-plot field trials. Twenty putative somaclones from the cultivar Abee, 20 from Deuce, 15 from Duke and 17 from Heartland were evaluated at three Saskatchewan locations during 1989. Little variation was observed between regenerants and their respective parent cultivars for days to head, height, yield and yield components. When variation did occur it was generally of negative value, i.e., later heading date; lower test weight, 1000-kernel weight, percent plumpness and yield. Of the four groups, those from Deuce and Duke exhibited the most variation. A 5-d difference in heading date was observed for one Duke derivative and 18 of the 20 Deuce derivatives were shorter than the Deuce control. From this study, it was concluded that somaclonal variation would be of no benefit in a plant-breeding program.Key words: Barley, field evaluation, tissue culture, Hordeum vulgare L.