Regular updating of the crossing block with new barley varieties for conducting the crossing program of winter barley for different breeding objectives

Abstract

The new sources of abiotic and biotic stresses have also been identified after evaluation through collaboration with NARS for phenotyping at diverse environments. Crossing blocks (CB) of barley 480 germplasm for spring barley breeding programs has been established in Morocco and Lebanon platform in 2016. The crossing block includes advanced breeding lines and improved barley genotypes, barley differential lines for disease resistance (net blotch and spot blotch differentials), tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Most recently, the CB is updated with salinity, leaf rust tolerant barley lines identified in 2015-16 in multilocation evaluation/phenotyping and new sources of beta glucan obtained from USDA and UC Davis, California.