Variation within and between F2-derived families for grain yield and barley malting quality

Abstract

Variation within and between F₂-derived families for grain yield and malting quality was investigated using F₄ breeding lines derived from F₂ families of 4 barley crosses. The variation between F₂-derived families was greater than within F₂-derived families for grain yield and all malting quality attributes. Superior segregates almost exclusively came from the best performing families. The greater similarity of lines eventually drawn from an F₂-derived family has significant implications for selection strategies in barley breeding programs as it facilitates the early discard of F₂-derived families. To maximise the exploitation of genetic variation as early as possible, selection for malting quality could start in the F₂ generation using near infrared transmittance (NIT) spectroscopy and for grain yield in the F₃ generation.