Ibridi di orzo: problematiche e realizzazioni

Barley hybrids: issues and achievements The success of hybrid varieties depends on the economic advantages achievable with them compared to traditional varieties, and on the availability of a cost-effective mechanism to promote cross-pollination, a crucial aspect in a strictly autogamous spe- cies such as barley. A genetic male-sterility system, based on the use of a balanced tertiary trisomic (BTT), was initially adopted, even though on a limited scale, but it was abandoned after a few years due to the high cost for parent reproduction. A more suitable system, relying on a genetic-cytoplasmic male-sterility derived from a wild barley accession, was later implemented, making seed production reliable and competitive and therefore allowing the spread of hybrids in several European countries. These achievements were also possible by applying the strategy of “mix planting” parental lines in hybrid seed production fields in order to attain a high level of hybridization. On the legislative side, however, the adoption of this solution required the lowe- ring of genetic purity standards for certified seed. Hybrid varieties can be superior to pure lines in terms of yield, yield stability and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, provided that suitable agronomic techniques are applied.