Golden barley field under a hot sun, symbolizing drought-resistant crops.

Thirsty Crops? How Smart Barley Selection Can Save the Day

Lena Voss in Climate & Environment June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the secrets of drought-resistant barley and how it can revolutionize agriculture in water-scarce regions. Learn about the innovative indices used to identify and cultivate hardy barley cultivars."

In a world increasingly affected by climate change, drought is becoming a major threat to food production. For farmers in arid and semi-arid regions, this means lower yields and increased uncertainty. But what if there was a way to grow crops that could thrive even with limited water? The answer might lie in selecting the right varieties of barley.

Barley, a staple grain in many parts of the world, shows considerable genetic diversity. Some types of barley are naturally more drought-tolerant than others. Identifying and cultivating these drought-resistant varieties can significantly improve crop yields in dry environments. This approach relies on using specific indices to measure how well different barley cultivars perform under drought conditions compared to normal conditions.

Recent research from Iran has focused on pinpointing these superior barley varieties. By using a range of drought tolerance indices, scientists are working to equip farmers with the tools they need to combat water scarcity and ensure food security. Understanding these indices and their implications can empower anyone interested in sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.

Decoding Drought Tolerance: The Iranian Barley Study

Golden barley field under a hot sun, symbolizing drought-resistant crops.

A study conducted in Iran provides valuable insights into how to identify drought-tolerant barley. Researchers tested ten different barley genotypes (or varieties) to see how they performed under both stressed (drought) and non-stressed (normal irrigation) conditions. The goal was to determine which varieties maintained high yields even when water was scarce. The study took place over the 2010-2011 growing season at the Research Centre of Islamic Azad University of Firoozabad.

To assess drought tolerance, the researchers used eight different indices. These indices are essentially formulas that use yield data from both stressed and non-stressed conditions to rank the barley genotypes. Here’s a quick rundown:

Mean Productivity (MP): Measures the average yield of a genotype under both stress and non-stress conditions.
Stress Tolerance Index (STI): Identifies genotypes that produce high yields under both stress and non-stress conditions.
Geometric Mean Productivity (GMP): Similar to STI, it identifies stable, high-yielding genotypes.
Tolerance Index (TOL): Measures the difference in yield between non-stress and stress conditions; lower values indicate higher tolerance.

The study found significant differences among the genotypes for all the measured criteria. This means that some barley varieties were much better at handling drought than others. The correlation coefficients, which show the relationships between different measurements, indicated that MP, STI, GMP, and HARM were the best indicators for selecting high-yielding genotypes under both stress and non-stress conditions. A principal component analysis further confirmed these findings, explaining 99.66% of the variation in the data with two main components.

The Future of Barley Breeding

The Iranian study offers a promising path forward for developing drought-resistant barley varieties. By using indices like MP, STI, GMP, and HARM, breeders can more effectively identify and select genotypes that thrive in water-scarce environments. The Nosrat cultivar, identified as the most tolerant in the study, shows considerable potential for improving drought tolerance in barley breeding programs. As climate change continues to impact agricultural regions worldwide, these advancements in crop selection will be crucial for ensuring food security and building resilient farming systems.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5897/ajb12.2127, Alternate LINK

Title: Evaluation Of Drought Tolerance Indices For The Selection Of Iranian Barley (Hordeum Vulgare) Cultivars

Subject: Agronomy and Crop Science

Journal: African Journal of Biotechnology

Publisher: Academic Journals

Authors: Zare Mahdi

Published: 2012-11-20

Everything You Need To Know

What specific indices were used in the Iranian study to assess drought tolerance in different barley varieties?

The Iranian study leveraged several key indices to evaluate drought tolerance in barley genotypes. These include Mean Productivity (MP), which measures the average yield under both stressed and non-stressed conditions; Stress Tolerance Index (STI), identifying genotypes with high yields in both conditions; Geometric Mean Productivity (GMP), similar to STI for stable, high-yielding genotypes; and Tolerance Index (TOL), where lower values indicate higher drought tolerance. These indices provide a quantitative way to assess and compare different barley varieties under varying water conditions.

Which barley cultivar was identified as the most drought-tolerant in the Iranian study, and what implications does this have for future breeding programs?

The research pinpointed the Nosrat cultivar as the most drought-tolerant among the tested barley varieties. This means that Nosrat exhibited superior performance in maintaining yield even under water-stressed conditions, making it a valuable resource for future barley breeding programs aimed at enhancing drought resistance. The identification of Nosrat allows breeders to focus on incorporating its genetic traits into new barley varieties, potentially leading to more resilient crops.

How does selecting drought-resistant barley varieties help address the challenges posed by climate change to agricultural regions?

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of droughts, posing a significant threat to agriculture, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. By identifying and cultivating drought-resistant barley varieties, like those studied in Iran, we can mitigate the impact of water scarcity on crop yields. This approach ensures more stable food production in regions prone to drought, contributing to food security and reducing the vulnerability of farming communities.

Besides MP, STI, GMP, and TOL, what other drought tolerance indices were utilized in the study, and how were they measured and correlated?

The study used eight different indices to assess drought tolerance. While Mean Productivity (MP), Stress Tolerance Index (STI), Geometric Mean Productivity (GMP), and Tolerance Index (TOL) are mentioned, others used are not specified. The correlation coefficients indicated that MP, STI, GMP, and HARM were the best indicators for selecting high-yielding genotypes under both stress and non-stress conditions, suggesting their importance in breeding programs. Principal component analysis further confirmed these findings, explaining 99.66% of the variation in the data with two main components. Further, the study used yield data from both stressed and non-stressed conditions to rank the barley genotypes.

Can you describe the methodology used in the Iranian study, including the location, duration, and specific conditions under which the barley genotypes were tested?

The study was conducted over the 2010-2011 growing season at the Research Centre of Islamic Azad University of Firoozabad. Ten different barley genotypes were tested under both stressed (drought) and non-stressed (normal irrigation) conditions. By measuring the yield of the different varieties in each of these conditions, the study was able to compare how well each genotype performed when water was scarce, and determine the most drought-tolerant genotypes.