Performance evaluation and stability analysis of malt barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties for yield and quality traits in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

Abstract Background Barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) is an annual cereal crop that belongs to the grass family Poaceae of tribe Triticeae. It fifth most important after teff, wheat, maize and sorghum in area coverage Ethiopia. Important malting barley characteristics include kernel size, protein content, extractable malt diastatic power. Malt barely study area; however, productivity low varying from 15 kg ha −1 21 . The aim was identify high yielding, standard quality stable variety areas similar agro-ecologies. Field experiments were conducted using eight improved varieties during main cropping seasons (from first week July end October) 2016 2017 at two selected sites Dehana (Amede work) Lalibela (Medagai)) north east Data on grain yield related traits, attributes recorded. Days 50% heading (DH), days 90% maturity (DM) recorded plots basis. Plant height (PH, cm), spike length (SPL, number seeds per (SPS) measured five randomly plants plot central four rows. Mean (GY; grams produced plot, converted ), above ground dry biomass or biological (BY; weight harvested ) thousand (TGW; 1000 kernels, grams) whole plots. analyzed SAS software program significance mean difference tested least significant Test (LSD). Result analysis variance for traits showed effects both genotypes environments, their interaction effect, highly (P ≤ 0.01). environment effect accounted 42%, 38% total yield, content variation, respectively. average across varied 1652 3377 Conclusions Three (IBON174/03, EH1847 Bahati) found be relatively full fill parameters. Therefore, these are recommended production. A further required agronomic practices brewing barley.