Abstract:

Germination process of 4 different spring barley varieties were tested under different levels of water stress. Results indicated that: (1) Seed germinations of all varieties were suppressed to some degrees under water stress. Germination suppression rate of all 4 varieties were 16%-52% and 4%-50% under severe and light water stress respectively, among which Shekatze 17 variety was the most severely suppressed. (2) Germination rate, germination index and vitality index of all varieties were decreased under water stress. Effect of water stress on germination was highest for Zangqing 320 variety and followed by Maqu 132, Shekatze 17 and Zangqing 148 in order. As the water stress was increased, germination speed was decreased obviously and sprouting strength was also obviously week. (3) Water stress was also suppressed the growth of sprouts and roots. As the water stress increased, sensitivity to the suppression was higher for sprouts than for roots. Shekatze 17 was the most sensitive to suppression for roots, while Zangqing 320 was the most sensitive to suppression for sprouts. Different genotypes of spring barley responded differently to water stress. This indicated that draught tolerance traits of spring barley were different for different genotypes. Among the 4 varieties of spring barley, according to the overall performance of seed germination periods, Zangqing 148 was the best for draught tolerance followed by Maqu 132, Zangqing 320 and Shekatze 17.