MART-AZR Project Research Report 73: Germplasm Evaluation in the Arid Highlands of Balochistan: Annual Report of the AZRI Germplasm Research Group

Abstract

This report presents the results for the 1990/91 season from the germplasm evaluation and screening program. The crops under test were cereals (barley and bread wheat), and food/forage legumes (lentils and vetches). A large proportion of the material tested was exotic germplasm obtained from ICARDA and CIMMYT yield trials and observation nurseries were conducted during both fall and spring seasons in 1990/91 at Quetta, Kan Mehtarzai, Kalat and Loralai, locations chosen to cover the main agro-ecological zones in highland Balochistan. The exotic genotypes were tested against local cultivars in terms of yield and resistance to drought, heat, cold, diseases and pests. In the 1990/91 season, Quetta and Kan Mehtarzai received above-average and well-distributed rain/snow, but the precipitation at Loralai was below average, while it was about average at Kalat. Severe frost/cold injury was not experienced in the germplasm trials but a serious outbreak of Yellow Rust, (Puccinia striiformis) was observed on cereals. Food/forage legumes at Loralai were severely damaged by Army-worms (Spodoptera spp.) 412 exotic lines of barley were tested at Quetta, Kalat, Kan Mehtarzai, and Loralai with fall and spring planting, and 53 promising entries were selected for further testing. out of 432 bread wheat exotic lines, 203 proved themselves potentially promising, and have been selected for next season's trials. In the case of food legumes (lentils), 49 exotic entries were tested and nine promising exotic lines have identified and will go forward into further trials. out of 31 exotic genotypes of forage legumes, 30 have been selected for further intensive testing.