THE USE OF THE ENDOSPERM DENSITY INDEX FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF THE QUALITY OF BARLEY GRAIN

Abstract: The Voronezh Region is located in the south-east of the Central Chernozem zone, characterized by a sharply continental climate and extremely unstable humidification over the years and during the growing season. The variability of weather conditions over the years creates certain difficulties in selecting the source material in the areas of grain use: brewing and fodder. Studies of the indicators of the endosperm of barley grain were carried out in the Voronezh FARC (Stone Steppe) on varieties of different origin: steppe and Western European, 10 samples in each group. The density of the endosperm was positively correlated to an average degree with the yield, the content of vitreous grains and protein in the grain: ґ=0.41*-0.46*. The indicator of water absorption by the endosperm as a whole during the study period positively correlated with the mass of 1000 grains: ґ=0.44*, size: ґ=0.48*, and negatively with yield and protein content: ґ=-0.50**, - 0.46*, more significantly with the value of vitreous: ґ=-0.68**. In the steppe group, the best drought-resistant varieties: Nutans 553, Talovsky 9 and Hopper, form high productivity: 3.27-3.60 t/ha, increased protein content in grain: 12.0-13.1% and its vitreousness: 30.8-35.1%, high endosperm density: 1.11-1.19 g/cm3 and the lowest indicators of transpiration intensity, which corresponds to the criteria of the steppe ecotype. Semi-intensive brewing varieties of local origin Amber and Ikorets form grains with a reduced protein content: 11.8% and vitreous grains: 16.5- 20.9%, they have reduced endosperm density to 1.07-1.09 g / cm3 and increased transpiration intensity. In the Yeifel variety from the Western European group, with the highest yield values: 3.20 t/ha, grain quality indicators are formed consistently at a high level, which may indicate its good ability to adapt. The studied indicators of endosperm density and absorbed water give grounds to conclude that their application in breeding practice is promising, taking into account the genotype of varieties.