RD 2592 - A new high yielding barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) variety to sustain maximum production in warmer areas of Rajasthan

Abstract

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important rabi cereal next to wheat, in acreage and production in Rajasthan, which is reflected by decade average of area, production and productivity of barley in the state. In Rajasthan, it is grown over an area of about 1.92 lac hectares with an annual production of 4.47 lac tones resulting an average yield of 23.29 q/ha [1]. It is widely grown due to its increased demand as well as lower cost of cultivation. It has great elasticity of adaptation under various stresses and lot of potential both for domestic and Industrial uses (production of malt, which is used in breweries to make beer, industrial alcohol, whisky, malt syrups, malted milk and vinegar). Its multifarious uses and ability to grow under adverse conditions have attracted farmers of non- traditional areas of Rajasthan for cultivation. Thus, this crop needs to be promoted as an industrial crop for malting and feed industry of domestic market for better returns to marginal/submarginal farmers of the state [2]. Barley is generally grown under marginal lands, problematic soils and temperature stress conditions. Its grain is used for food, feed and malting in Rajasthan. Ten to fifteen per cent production of barley from the state goes to the industries for manufacturing beer, alcohol, whisky, malt enriched food and malt syrup. Due to importance of this crop for industrial uses as well as in feed industries, there is an urgent need to give proper attention for the development of new high yielding varieties / hybrids to promote the cultivation of this crop. Hence, in Rajasthan there is need to develop a new set of varieties to sustain the maximum production under various agro-climatic situations.